Downtown PKB plans a ribbon-cutting for this mural by local artist Diana Wilson on the floodwall at 11 a.m. Wednesday. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

PARKERSBURG — The public is invited to a ribbon-cutting for the newest mural in downtown Parkersburg at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Point Park.

The new 10-by-10-foot mural is a bright outline of West Virginia, sprinkled with symbols of the state and its heritage.

The mural is sponsored by a Community Development Block Grant. Downtown PKB partnered with the City of Parkersburg to hire a local artist, Diana Wilson, to create a design that represents the state in a positive light with a colorful design and theme.

Once the design was selected and approved, Sir Speedy Printing was hired to print and install the cling wrap directly on the floodwall.

“Our goal is to revitalize downtown Parkersburg through events, promotions, artwork or any means possible to activate space in a positive way,” said Downtown PKB Executive Director Amanda Stevens.

A Parkersburg Police officer on a UTV drives by the new mural on the floodwall in Point Park Monday. Downtown PKB has scheduled a ribbon-cutting for the mural at 11 a.m. Wednesday. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

The mural, a vinyl cling wrap, will have the same longevity as a painted-on design. An anti-graffiti sealant coat was added to the cling for protection.

This is separate from the large-scale mural project that has been in the works for the last three-plus years and is headed up by local artist and business owner, Edward Escandon. Downtown PKB is the fiscal agent for both projects.

The mural artist, Vienna resident Diana Wilson, is a graphic designer and owner of dDesigns. Wilson said she “wanted to highlight the beauty and nature of our state in an appealing and modern way that gives both a sense of pride and adventure. By combining the fauna with an almost patchwork style I wanted to encompass Appalachia with a bright color palette for its urban landscape. It was an honor to be trusted with such a prime piece of real estate and representation of PKB.”

More information on this and other Downtown PKB projects is available by contacting amanda@downtownpkb.com or jessica@downtownpkb.com.

Downtown PKB plans a ribbon-cutting for this mural by local artist Diana Wilson on the floodwall at 11 a.m. Wednesday. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

A new mural applied to the Parkersburg floodwall is seen through the leaves of a tree in Point Park Monday. Downtown PKB has scheduled a ribbon-cutting for the mural at 11 a.m. Wednesday. (Photo by Evan Bevins)