Art Beat Blog

The NOTO Arts & Entertainment District is proud to announce continued progress on the Kansas Avenue Veterans Memorial Bridge Mural Project, a major public art and placemaking initiative designed to honor North Topeka’s history while welcoming its future.

The mural, titled “Reflections of Eugene, The Rise of NOTO,” is being designed and curated by lead artist Zandra Sneed-Dawkins. Installation is scheduled to begin March 1, with completion anticipated by June 15, followed by a public dedication ceremony planned for late June 2026.

Located near the bridge and partially revealed from NW Laurent Street, the mural is intentionally positioned to unfold as visitors enter the district. The artwork will serve as a visual gateway into NOTO and a first impression that tells the story of place, identity, and transformation.

The mural narrates the historic journey of Eugene, Kansas, the original settlement that would become North Topeka. It highlights foundational figures such as Louis Laurent, co-founder of Eugene, and Julia Gonville-Pappan, a French-Kaw woman whose legacy helped shape the region. Her lineage includes Charles Curtis, the 31st Vice President of the United States, whose complex cultural heritage and national influence are woven into the storytelling.

Through layered imagery, the mural reflects North Topeka’s deep connection to the Kansas River and its enduring resilience. Key moments depicted include Pappan’s Landing (an 1842 ferry crossing), the arrival of the Union Pacific Railroad in 1866, the devastating floods of 1903 and 1951, and the collapse of the Melan Bridge in 1965- events that tested but never defeated the community’s spirit.

Visually, the piece uses dynamic organic forms and a vibrant palette of purples, blues, fiery oranges, and greens inspired by the NOTO brand and the energy of creative rebirth. The artwork incorporates elements of the NOTO logo and is designed to be experienced from multiple viewpoints, symbolizing connection, movement, and progress. A young girl and young man appear within the composition, representing the bridge between past and future and the ongoing promise of opportunity.

The mural also acknowledges broader regional and national narratives, including Topeka’s connection to Brown v. Board of Education and the development of Philip Billard Airport, reinforcing North Topeka’s place within larger American history.

When complete, the project will function as both a memorial and a welcoming landmark, honoring those who came before us while celebrating the creative revival of the district. The Kansas Avenue Bridge mural stands as a lasting investment in storytelling, tourism, and community pride, and as a visible reminder of how Eugene became NOTO.