How Artists Help Main Street Celebrate and Preserve their History in Engaging Ways
September 23, 2025 | Logan Breer
The Main Street Approach™ offers local Main Street programs the framework to infuse their history into the ways they enhance the visual appeal of their historic commercial districts. Specifically through the design point, downtown physical improvements allow for spatial and visual storytelling that celebrate and preserve the stories told. This is predominantly seen in mural installations but can also include statues and other pieces of art. Read about several artists who have worked in historic commercial districts and with Main Street programs to share the community’s unique stories in interesting ways.
Scott Rule in Chillicothe
Murals are a great way to depict and celebrate local history, historic figures, and more through the arts. Scott Rule knows how to take a community’s local history and wonderfully shape it into a stunning mural. Scott shared, “I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember, starting in grade school in north central Iowa, where my mom used to get frustrated because I’d do detailed drawings on blue-lined notebook paper—she’d end up framing them anyway.”
After graduating with his BS in Commercial Art from Oral Roberts University, he worked for years with ad agencies and printing companies before moving to Chillicothe in 2001.
He started off painting in Chillicothe with an exterior mural for a local Christian radio station. Since then he’s completed murals for churches, a bank, and more. After the passing of Chillicothe’s prolific muralist Kelly Poling, he has been honored to restore and refresh many of Kelly’s works around town. Scott shared, “I especially love murals that tell a community’s history and heritage—it’s what makes each place unique.”
Some of his recent projects include Graham’s Mill and Bridge in Chillicothe, two murals in Stanberry, the Brunswick logo mural, repainting the World’s Largest Pecan sculpture, and the Greetings from Chillicothe, Missouri mural on his own building.
Linda Spencer & Roberto Regalado in Lebanon
Linda Spencer & Roberto Regalado have been lifelong friends and creative partners since starting their journey as commercial artists and mural painters in Orange County, California. In 1990, Linda moved to Missouri, and Roberto followed in 1993 where they have since worked together as Laughingwell Studio. Over the years they have worked with companies and organizations across Missouri like Bass Pro, Cox South Pediatrics, Lebanon High School, Laclede County, and many more.
Art is more than their profession—it’s their way of inspiring the next generation. At Lebanon High School, they partnered with the Missouri Arts Council to create large-scale works framed by art from the students themselves. Linda and Roberto guided the students in painting the tiles, and some even got the chance to add their brushstrokes to the main mural under Linda and Roberto’s supervision. Linda and Roberto shared, “Watching the student’s skills grow year after year has been one of the most rewarding parts of our work.”
In Lebanon, they also had the privilege of creating two murals that celebrate the community’s history and heritage. At Adventure Lodge, they painted a tribute to Route 66, honoring its place in Missouri’s Route 66 story. They also created “The Crossroads of the Ozarks”, a mural that celebrates Laclede County and its unique place in the heart of the state.
Cheyenne Renne in Canton
Canton’s newest mural brightens the community with friendly, welcoming imagery of the Mississippi River and local wildlife. Created by Cheyenne Renee as part of her “50 Murals in 50 Small Towns” project, this was the only mural from Missouri—and it only took a few days to finish! The mural celebrates Canton’s charm and is already making an impact on locals and visitors alike. The idea for the design came from when board member Leslie Moon attended the Missouri’s Premier Downtown Revitalization Conference in St. Charles with the concept of a postcard-inspired mural. The finished piece celebrates Canton’s charm and hospitality, featuring the scenic beauty of the Mississippi River and the wildlife it attracts. Canton’s mural, #28 in Cheyenne’s national project, is also part of a documentary she is filming to capture the stories behind each community she visits. For locals and visitors alike, the mural has quickly become a source of pride and a colorful reminder of the town’s unique place in Missouri’s story.
The works of art that artists are able to create are fascinating, aren’t they? What is even more fascinating is how Missouri’s communities of all sizes celebrate and preserve their history. If you want to support our mission to empower more communities in Missouri to celebrate and preserve their heritage through activities and initiatives like the ones you just read about, support MMSC through a contribution to Heritage Circle. Your donations go directly to programming that trains communities to identify and celebrate their stories in engaging ways.
