The votes are in: Wheeling artist Sherrie Mestrovic to paint downtown Wheeling mural

After a month of public voting, Wheeling artist Sherrie Mestrovic’s design has been chosen for a mural at Kossuth Park. More than 3,400 people cast votes for the public art contest, which is a project of Wheeling Heritage.

Mestrovic was one of four finalists in the contest, which asked artists to share their vision of Wheeling for a freestanding mural at Kossuth Park, the small greenspace at the intersection of Route 2 and Interstate 70 in downtown Wheeling. The other three finalists included Mimi Albon, Amanda Carney and Samuel Starkey.

Mestrovic’s “Welcome to Wheeling” design highlights eight iconic Wheeling landmarks above the Wheeling Suspension Bridge. In each letter of the word “Wheeling,” Mestrovic features a well-known scene, including the Capitol Theatre, Centre Market, Mingo Indian, Mail Pouch Tobacco sign, Madonna of the Trail, a National Road Mile Marker, Oglebay Mansion, and Independence Hall.

Mestrovic will also include the community in the mural’s creation. She will announce dates and times for anyone who is interested to stop by her studio and help with painting the piece. These workshops will be promoted on Wheeling Heritage’s Facebook page.

The freestanding mural, which measures 10 by 20 feet, will be installed at the beginning of April.

The goal of the project is to welcome visitors to Wheeling, evoke a sense of pride in the community, and celebrate Wheeling’s identity, explained Alex Weld, project and outreach manager at Wheeling Heritage.

Mestrovic has painted for decades and travels all over the East Coast selling her artwork at art festivals. She owns Art by Sherrie, an art studio and workshop in Elm Grove, where she teaches art classes, hosts paint-and-sips and sells artwork.