The west wall of the Executive Square building will soon be home to a colorful new mural from local artist Jason Jones.

Photo: Todd Gill, Flyer staff

The Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission on Tuesday gave final funding approval for a new mural from local artist Jason Jones.

The mural will be painted across the west wall of the Executive Square building at the Fayetteville Town Center plaza on the south side of the downtown square.

Original sketches courtesy Jason Jones

Jones requested $30,000 in April to paint three murals in downtown Fayetteville. The commission agreed to pay $11,250 for one mural, but voted to wait until June to decide on a location. Once chosen, the commission agreed to wait until July to release the funds to give Town Center staff and the Bradberry family, who owns the building, some time to weigh in on the proposed design, which features a colorful tree and a tree swing with the words “enjoy local” inscribed on it.

Sandra Bennett, operations administrator for the Town Center, said as of Tuesday, all parties had signed off on the project.

The final design is nearly identical to the sketch Jones presented in June, but features a bear swinging from the tree instead of a young girl.

Jones said his original sketches included a version with a girl, and another with a black bear.

He cited a few reasons for settling on the latter version.

“I really liked the look of the bear,” said Jones. “I also thought a black bear would be more universal and better represent nature and Arkansas.”

Jones said he’s coordinating the mural into his schedule, and plans to begin painting starting sometime within the next two months.