A striking new mural in Martin City is turning heads. It’s bold, vibrant, and a fresh sign of our neighborhood’s rising profile. Located on the east-facing wall of The Martin Event Space at 13440 Holmes Road, right at the intersection of Holmes and 135th Street, the mural expresses the neighborhood’s spirit with vivid color and rich historical references.
Acclaimed artist Andrea Ehrhardt is behind the work commissioned by the Martin City Community Improvement District (MCCID) in partnership with The Martin Event Space. Ehrhardt worked closely with the MCCID Board of Directors and The Martin to shape the design, refining sketches along the way.
“We have something new to be proud of, and the location near Martin City’s main intersection is really nice,” says MCCID Board President Danny Lake. “The concept celebrates our heritage, adds a highlight to the Holmes Road and 135th Street crossing, and feeds the momentum of the rebirth we’re seeing with new businesses and continued revitalization.”
A Symbolic Story of Martin City
The mural’s centerpiece is an old locomotive chugging through a classy gold frame with smoke extending beyond the frame, rising all the way up onto the building’s gutter. It nods to Martin City’s roots as a train town beginning in the 1890s. Around it, you’ll spot images of storefronts reflecting the District’s entrepreneurial spirit, hanging flower baskets found along 135th Street every summer, prairie grasses, open sky, and cattle in the distance symbolizing our connection to the country and even our famed cowtown restaurants. Big, red lettering across the top welcomes you to “Martin City.”
“This mural doesn’t just label Martin City like a typical sign would,” says MCCID District Manager Vickie Wolverton. “It tells a story. It highlights our roots, our business culture, and our distinct identity. It adds to our destination appeal across the region.”
A row of storefronts reflects Martin City’s entrepreneurial history.
Look closely — details reveal subtle nods to Martin City’s famous restaurant culture.
The train’s smoke breaks the frame and rises all the way onto building’s gutter.
Cattle in the distance symbolize Martin City’s connection to Kansas City’s cowtown herigtage.
The mural took Ehrhardt and her assistant Kaylee Antignano four hot summer days to complete. She used image projection equipment, spray paint, and hand brushes, finishing with a UV-protective and graffiti-resistant sealant to preserve it for years to come. She sensed support the day she started.
“Drivers honked and waved constantly,” Ehrhardt told us with a smile, while climbing scaffolding and wiping sweat from her brow. “I think people are looking and thinking, yeah, that looks like Martin City!”
Andrea Ehrhardt is the artist behind the mural on The Martin
Ehrhardt is from a small town of just a few hundred people, and has created community murals for other small towns. For her, all the hard work in the September sun is definitely a labor of love.
“I love small towns because I’m from one, and the Martin City neighborhood has that feeling. It’s really unique here because even though the neighborhood is part of a big city, you don’t feel like you’re in a big city. It feels like a small community. You have your homegrown restaurants and businesses, and people know each other. I’m very proud of what I’m doing here and why I’m doing it.”
A Community Vision Comes to Life
The MCCID issued a public call for proposals, and of the artists who responded, Ehrhardt stood out. Her experience painting in high-profile spaces across the country and internationally gave her a strong understanding of place-based public art.
“Andrea creates murals that are beautiful and meaningful,” says Wolverton. “She knows how to take a community’s story and translate it into something people can feel.”
Rachel Long, owner of The Martin Event Space, welcomed the idea of painting a mural on the side of her business. Her building, once a landmark church built on land dating back to Martin City’s earliest days, now plays host to a wide array of community celebrations, from business gatherings and happy hours to weddings, anniversaries, and themed parties open to the public.
“I was ecstatic when Vickie reached out,” says Long. “I wanted to add color and life, not just to the building, but to Martin City. It’s a fun backdrop for photos for our guests, great for telling our collective story, and salutes the enduring spirit of this community.”
Rachel Long owns and operates The Martin Event Space.
The Martin Event Space at 135th and Holmes Road.
Martin City Community Improvement District Manager Vickie Wolverton, Board President Danny Lake, and Rachel Long view progress along the way.
A New Landmark Within a Larger Strategy
The mural’s location was intentional. Holmes Road is one of two main corridors in Martin City. A major Holmes Road improvement project, including wide, large sidewalks, is set to begin in late 2026. When complete, the mural will become part of a walkable, art-forward route connecting Holmes and 135th Street.
“This mural begins to bring the same energy to Holmes that we’ve brought to 135th,” says Lake. “We know businesses in Martin City are excited about the future and we hope the mural inspires them to get creative and contribute to the neighborhood’s visual appeal.”
Wolverton agrees. “There’s growing enthusiasm across the neighborhood. The mural on The Martin is just one piece of the puzzle. More art, more pride, and more reasons to experience Martin City are coming.”