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A drive through Mount Airy's Main Street this week might be a more artful experience than usual.
Window displays that usually hawk goods and tables full of diners have been replaced by fall scenes of scarecrows, haunted woods and happy pumpkins.
Angie Nolte, co-organizer of the event and downtown business owner, said letters had been sent out to seven high schools and two responded, as well as some local artists who are volunteering their time.
For the school competition, first place receives $200 for the program, while second place receives $150.
On Friday afternoon, Urbana High School students gathered in front of Main Street business Ben Gue's Gifts and Collectibles, painting a forest scene on the plated glass.
"We were the only school that did it last year," said art teacher Debbie Winkles. Because of that, her art department won by default.
She said the students had fun, so when asked again to participate again, they agreed. The students are National Art Honor Society members, Winkles said as she carefully swept her paintbrush across the storefront, bony fingers of a threatening skeleton taking shape.
Seniors Sean Guercio and Sofya LaRocca knelt at one end of the three part glass panes in front of the store. Club members pitched in, all drawing different designs, and selected the ones they liked the most, said Sofya as she dipped her paintbrush into a mixture of purple paint in an old hummus container, painting the background to the ghostly forest.
"I think they're looking really good," said store owner Ben Gue, watching the forest cover his store's display. "We'll be in the dark for a week."
Gue, who also serves as the president of the Lion's Club, said there would be a number at each window and a jar with a corresponding number. A quarter counts as a vote. Money made would go towards holiday food baskets that the club does for residents in need.
"Hopefully next year more schools will compete," Gue said. "We build it each year."
Georgia Geisser is the art department chair at Linganore High School. She brought her National Arts Honor Society for their first time in the event.
"This year we're trying to do more community service stuff," she said, saying they were involved in student art exhibits, possibly an edible art show and "Empty Bowls", a grassroots movement to help end hunger
"The kids seem to be good with helping out," she said, adding that any prize money the school wins would probably go towards art scholarships.
Linganore High School senior Michael Rock was one of the students painting under a blue tent set up in front of Laurienzo's Brick Oven Café.
A parent brought the tent to protect the small group from the sporadic rain. Rock said the activity was optional, and the students had been there since 2:30 p.m. Friday.
After communicating with Laurienzo's, who had already planned to make a graveyard out of their outdoor dining patio, the group decided to make the background to the courtyard's graveyard. Rock said their graveyard scene was completed in acrylic paint, the jugs sitting on a table behind him.
Mount Airy resident and Linganore High senior Kenny Merrigan stood taping off the restaurant's logo on the glass. "They asked for us to keep it clean," he said, taping off the rounded logo against the graveyard scene creeping toward it. He said he was there because he likes doing stuff with his hands.
Gue, whose shops windows are covered, said he had figured out how to remove the paint last year.
"All you have to do is hit it with Windex," he said, saying with that and a razor blade, the paint "comes off in sheets." The murals are up for voting both this past weekend and this Saturday, and most paintings will be taken down after voting this weekend.
E-mail Angie Cochrun at acochrun@gazette.net.
Mount Airy Lion's Club Halloween Party
-1 p.m. Saturday, weather permitting
-Mount Airy Municipal Parking lot, intersection of Park Avenue and Veterans Lane, Mount Airy
-Halloween costume contest, Tailgate Trick-or-Treat, games, crafts
-Winners will receive trophies and all participants will receive ribbons and goodie bags
-To pass out candy, set-up begins at 12:30 p.m.
-For more information, call 301-829-LION
