BLAND — Murals, large-scale wood carvings and other public art could become part of a future effort to beautify Bland and attract visitors to the community.

Skyler Miller approached the Bland Board of Aldermen Sept. 14 with local artist Hank Scheel to begin discussing possible community art projects and grant opportunities.

Miller, who identified himself as originally from the Bland area and a professional writer with grant-writing experience, offered to research funding opportunities for municipal beautification and arts projects.

“The kind of things that Hank has been working on are just incredible. I mean, this isn’t just your average carving,” Miller said. “If we are able to somehow facilitate city beautification that can incorporate folk art like that and also incorporate the history of the town, we might actually be able to draw people here.”

The discussion included murals depicting Bland’s history, public displays of wood carvings and incorporating folk art into the community’s identity.

Officials pointed to Cuba’s murals as an example of how public art can showcase local history while creating something visitors want to see.

The artist discussed potentially incorporating large wood carvings into Bland and described an ongoing campaign involving large wooden butterflies. He said he was also open to other ideas and potentially making donations to Bland connected with local sales.

Miller emphasized that the discussion was preliminary and no specific project was being presented for approval.

“I don’t have anything specific to propose, but I just want to make myself available to start the discussion of what we might be able to do,” Miller said. “I would also like to pass it over to Hank, because he knows more about what he is capable of in regards to the artwork.

“What I’m trying to do is work on a project from the house for people that are local. We’re starting a butterfly campaign, and it’s just these massive wooden butterflies, and then we’re gonna give like a 50 percent discount for anyone local to us,” Scheel said. “So our goal is, as you get closer to unconditional carving, that you see more carvings. I would really like to be able to incorporate that in Bland as much as possible, with maybe even offering donations to Bland if so many are sold.”

Board members were receptive to the concept and discussed possible locations, including city property and the park.

“I think it would make the town look good,” Mayor Merrilee Spurgeon said.

No artwork, expenditure or grant application was approved during the meeting.

Miller said he would continue researching grants available for city beautification, art projects and festivals.