Killeen Civic Art Guild revitalizing downtown Killeen one masterpiece at a time

By Janna Zepp | Photos contributed

If you’ve visited downtown Killeen, chances are good you’ve seen a military-themed mural at 223 E. Avenue D, at the corner of Avenue D and Gray Street that celebrates Fort Hood’s history. Camp Hood to Ft. Hood – Embracing Our Rich Military History, unveiled on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2016, honors the bond between the City of Killeen and Fort Hood, depicting how the presence of the U.S. Army post shaped the area. It also honors the talent that lives in this community.

The Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce commissioned the Killeen Civic Art Guild to paint the mural, sponsored by Solix Inc., with the intent that it would also spark interest in more art displays in the downtown area to aid downtown revitalization efforts.

When asked what the most fun part of painting a mural was, past KCAG President Stephen Culver said it was the participation of the public.
“We’ve had students and volunteers helping. We just ask people to stay in the lines,” he added with a laugh.

The Killeen Civic Art Guild is a nonprofit group of area residents dedicated to the advancement and promotion of art in Killeen and surrounding communities. The guild hosts competitions, exhibits and other events. Often, KCAG art competition works are displayed at the Vive Les Arts!/Central Texas Theater, as well as at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center. The guild was founded to promote the arts and community relations, as an association for artists and craftsmen of varying skills, styles, schools and interests. Members of the guild have been promoting the arts in the region since 1963.

Since becoming a nonprofit in 1984, membership has fluctuated between 40 and 60 people. The guild hopes to increase its membership when it finds a location with more space. Right now, it calls 911-A Trimmier Road in Killeen home.

“We have participated in several Beautify Killeen projects including painting the city’s trash receptacles, painting an eye-catching mural at the Killeen rodeo grounds and building and painting several flower boxes that are located in downtown Killeen,” said Jutta Mack, a member of the KCAG Board of Trustees. “We welcome any artists to stop by and visit and hopefully join. There are a lot of local artists that are not aware of the KCAG.”

To see more photos, get information on open studio times and meetings, visit Facebook.com/KCAG1963.