Many communities have used murals as a primary draw for tourists. Chemainous, British Columbia, has over 25 murals which draw some 400,000 visitors annually. Among them have been Columbia's Ruby Barbee and her son, Joe L. Barbee.

Toppenish, Washington, has a similar number of murals. The outside art in both these communities rely heavily on their histories. Toppenish has an unusual "mural-in-a-day" method for painting the giant scenes. A Toppenish Mural Society coordinates its activities.

Closer to home, Frederick, MD, a few miles northwest of the District of Columbia, uses more formal art, including trompe l'oeil, or "fool the eye" art-in one case transforming the appearance of an ordinary modern bridge into what looks like a European arched bridge.

In all the communities, leaders have found that the involvement of people of all ages in art, particularly murals, reduced problems in other areas.

Related information on the web:

TOPPENISH: http://www.wolfenet.com/~murals/history.htm

CHEMAINOUS: http://www.chemainus.com/art/MURAL.HTM

FREDERICK: http://bridge.skyline.net/message/otherwork.html