Charlie “Tin Man” Lucas, just like many others in Selma, is tired of seeing windows boarded up. It’s a sight for sore eyes.

But he’s not just complaining about it. He is doing something about it by bringing community members together for a window art project to cover up those plain, ugly boards with beautifully painted murals on them.

It’s a project Lucas envisioned after a student from Canada pointed out the eyesore one day while at Lucas’ studio on Lauderdale Street.

Since sharing his vision, community leaders, businesses and art organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Alabama State Council on the Arts, have come together to make this vision come to life.

Over the last couple of weeks, plywood boards have been cut to size and primed for painting.

This weekend, Lucas is hoping to see many members of the community come to his studio and lend a hand with this project during the First Morning Art Walk. This vision Lucas has for a more beautiful downtown Selma is something we support and encourage others to get involved with. Not only will it make the buildings downtown more beautiful, but it will also encourage others to take part in making our city look beautiful and more friendly to guests. We encourage everyone to come to Lucas’ studio at 9 Lauderdale St. Saturday from 8 a.m. until and get their hands dirty.