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Maker’s Mark Mural to Cover Lebanon, KYs Water Tower
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New bourbon mural in creation stage to be photo op stop on Kentucky Bourbon Trail
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The artist creating the painting is internationally recognized muralist Eric Henn, who has been creating large-scale murals for more than 25 years. Henn’s massive works of art may be seen at aquariums, zoos and theme parks all over the country and have been featured on the PBS Special, “Super Murals,” The Discovery Channel, CNN, Sesame Street and “The Apprentice.” Henn’s client list includes Pepsi Cola, Procter & Gamble, The United States Postal Service, AT&T, Citgo Petroleum Company, Marathon Oil Company, Ripley’s “Believe It Or Not” and Hershey Foods, among others.

The Lebanon Tourist and Convention Commission contracted with Henn to paint the mural on the water tower to signify that Marion County is the home of Maker’s Mark Distillery, a national icon and the county’s No. 1 tourist attraction.

“The water tower will be so unique that visitors will go home and remember ‘that water tower’ in Lebanon, Kentucky,” said Nena Olivier, executive director of the tourism commission. “ One thing that I always think of when I think of Versailles and Florence in Kentucky is their water towers. They are iconic images associated with those cities, and our goal is to promote a similar type of thinking with Lebanon.”

Maker’s Mark is located just eight miles from downtown Lebanon and the water tower, a perfect photo op stop for bourbon fans. There is nowhere else on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail or in Kentucky’s Bourbon Country where visitors will be able to see such an unforgettable sight, a mural looming above the horizon that celebrates one of the world’s premier bourbons and Kentucky’s pre-eminent role in bourbon’s history and heritage. An only-here photo and/or selfie of this water tower will be a souvenir that comes with bragging rights.

“The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is absolutely booming and we want to do everything we can to capitalize on that,” said Olivier. “Our hope is that the water tower will draw more visitors to Lebanon and, once here, we can promote all the other wonderful things that Lebanon has to offer.”

These include Limestone Branch Distillery, a member of Kentucky Bourbon Craft Tour Trail; the Kentucky Cooperage, where visitors can see how the barrels that hold Kentucky bourbon are made; WhiteMoon Winery, located among the rolling hills that link Limestone Branch and Maker’s Mark distilleries; and the scenic and challenging Gorley Naturalist Trail which encircles Fagan Branch Reservoir, a no-fuel lake for canoeing, sailing and fishing.

Attractions in downtown Lebanon include the Marion County Heritage Center, featuring the world’s only Turtleman exhibit and the Don Johnson Musical Instrument Collection (the largest collection of horns in the U.S. made by the J.W. Pepper Co.); the Centre Square/Angelic Hall performing arts venue; and lots of locally-owned restaurants and shops. Lebanon lodging includes the circa 1833 Myrtledene bed and breakfast inn and the Hampton Inn of Lebanon.

To read more about Eric Henn, the muralist painting the water tower, and see some of his past work, go to www.EricHennMurals.com. Henn is available for interviews and can be reached at EHMurals@gmail.com, 937-516-2600 or 513-594-8044/cell.

Media Contact:
Nena Olivier, 270-692-0021
Lebanon Tourist & Convention Commission
www.VisitLebanonKy.com

Photo: A rendering of the Maker’s Mark mural that will soon grace the City of Lebanon water tower.
Credit: Lebanon Tourist & Convention Commission

Hi- and Low-Res photos available.

About Lebanon, KY
Geographically located in the center of the state, Lebanon is the “Heart of Bourbon Country,” the epicenter of Kentucky barrel and bourbon making. Attractions include Maker’s Mark Distillery, Limestone Branch Distillery, the Kentucky Cooperage and WhiteMoon Winery. For outdoor enthusiasts, Gorley Naturalist Trail presents challenging hiking and biking and the scenic splendor of 47 bridges. Fagan Branch Reservoir and Sportsman’s Lake beckon canoeists, kayakers and boaters (non-motorized boats) and fishers and anglers for waters stocked with rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, catfish, crappie and hybrid bluegill. Incorporated as a city in 1815, Lebanon played a crucial role during the Civil War and is today on the Civil War Discovery Trail. It is also part of Kentucky’s historic Holy Land, with sites including the Sisters of Loretto Motherhouse. Visual and performing arts and pop culture and historic treasures are found at the Marion County Heritage Center, Stillhouse Art Museum and Angelic Hall at Centre Square. Shop for antiques, collectibles and handmade crafts downtown and dine at your choice of 40 eateries|–|everything from casual full-service restaurants to home-style cafes to an old-fashioned soda fountain. Among accommodations options are the gracious circa 1833 Myrtledene Bed and Breakfast and Hampton Inn. Facebook.com/VisitLebanon

City of Lebanon Water Tower/Maker’s Mark Mural Fact Sheet

Artist: Eric Henn is a muralist from Ohio who transforms water tanks and towers, historic buildings and eyesores into works of art. He has created murals up to 150-feet high and covering 49,000-square-feet. Henn uses Sherwin Williams high-performance industrial and marine coatings on his works for gloss retention and corrosion resistance.

Other Henn outdoor artworks in Kentucky: The petroleum storage tank murals in Versailles.

Costs for the Maker’s Mark water tower project: $56,300*

*Cost includes $46,000 for artwork and labor; $9,000 for four-week lift rental; $1,300 for artist accommodations for four weeks.

Maker’s Mark’s advertising agency, Doe Anderson, did the design work for free, which included creating at least 10 different designs to choose from.

Project Timeline: Work began on Nov. 9 and will take approximately four to six weeks to complete.

Lifespan: The mural is expected to last at least 10 years, if not longer.

The City of Lebanon Water is located at 65 Old Springfield Road, Lebanon, KY 40033.