Read 2 Connect Pineville and Partners for Rural Impact held a special mural reveal and intern showcase on Monday evening in downtown Pineville.

Shannon Elliott from Read 2 Connect shared that Pineville students involved with the program were able to intern with local businesses and organizations over the summer and then chose to team to paint a mural on an old building next to Fuson Sporting Goods as a group community service project.

“They learned soft skills, how to do resumes, how to interact with people,” Elliott said.

They painted murals on two sides of the building and Main Street Pineville contributed a $2,000 grant to paint the front of the building facing Kentucky Avenue.

Muralist Tina Johnson from Bell-Whitley did the detail work for the art and the interns did the painting.

“Tonight is really to celebrate the end of a hot, long summer for our interns,” Elliott added. “It has been a great experience and I am really proud of these students. I also have to thank all of our host sites — I never got a no from anyone in Pineville and I appreciate that.”

The interns included Alli Patterson and Connor Gregory (Pine Mountain State Park), Paul Elliott and Landon Robbins (Wasioto Winds), Makayla Caldwell, Mackenzie Caldwell and Tate Slone (Pineville Community Health Center), Randall Saylor (Combs Equipment), Seth Eagle (PRI Community), Shelby Patterson (Bell County Animal Shelter), Addison Slone and Baleigh Bargo (Apex Physical Therapy), Aleah Obenshain (Middlesboro Public Library), Jazmine Ball, Tabitha Evans and Samantha Evans (Pineville Public Library), Trent Johnson (Chris Douglas Law Office) and Kadence McQueen (Bell County Chamber of Commerce).

They each signed their mural on Monday and the event also featured a book giveaway for younger kids, face-painting, bag decorating and a spot where anyone could sign their name to leave their mark on the back of the building.