Artists Will Recreate Iconic Smith Mural in Springfield

A community-funded project will restore a piece of local art by November 2026.

Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Painting

Artists Will Recreate Iconic Smith Mural in Springfield

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Springfield organizers will begin recreating a Robert E. Smith mural this October 2026. The new installation honors the artist's original 1975 vision for the downtown area.

Why it matters

The project follows significant public outcry after the original mural was painted over earlier this year. This effort serves to preserve the artistic legacy of Robert E. Smith within the local community.

The new mural will be located on the west-facing wall at 338 N. Boonville Ave. The project includes a maintenance agreement to ensure the artwork remains for the next 10 years.

The players

Robert E. Smith

He is the artist whose 1975 depiction of downtown Springfield serves as the inspiration for the new mural.

Christine Riutzel

She is one of the two artists selected to recreate the mural based on historical references.

Meg Wagler

She is an artist chosen to collaborate on the restoration of the iconic downtown Springfield artwork.

Downtown Springfield Community Improvement District

This local agency provided necessary sponsorship to facilitate the mural restoration project.

Clan MacQuarrie LLC

This company owns the building located at 338 N. Boonville Ave. where the mural will be installed.

The details

Artists Christine Riutzel and Meg Wagler were selected to lead the recreation, referencing Smith's original 1975 art and photos from a 2000 installation. The site was chosen specifically for its wall size and long-term maintenance capacity.

The original Smith artwork depicted downtown Springfield in 1975.
The initial mural was installed by artists Bunch and Thayer in 2000.
The previous mural was painted over in early 2026.
Artists are scheduled to begin creating the new mural in October 2026.
Completion is planned for the November 2026 First Friday Art Walk.

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Culture Shift

This project reflects a broader societal push to preserve local history through public art as urban centers undergo rapid aesthetic changes. By reclaiming public space, Springfield demonstrates a shift toward community-driven conservation over the erasure of cultural landmarks.

Residents can anticipate a new public landmark at 338 N. Boonville Ave. that will be maintained for at least the next decade. The project directly replaces a lost community asset, returning a piece of Springfield's visual identity to the downtown area.

The takeaway

Community-funded projects offer a powerful method for residents to directly influence the visual character of their local environment. Public art restoration serves as both a commemorative gesture and a strategy for long-term neighborhood engagement.