Artists work against time

Colorado artists Darline Grubbs (front) and Wendy Davis carefully paint over a portion of one of two 40-by-12-foot murals that are displayed inside the Liberty Theatre. The murals, which depict historic Fort Scott, were painted by artist George Keifer in the 1930s and are in need of restoration. (Rayma Silvers/Tribune)

As time passes, memories of years gone by begin to fade.

Even though authors and painters have the ability to preserve those memories with words in the pages of a book or with brush strokes on a canvas, these too can fade with time.

The Liberty Theatre, 113 S. Main, has recently been faced with such a dilemma. Built in the 1800's the Liberty Theatre proudly displays two large murals which contain historic depictions of historic Fort Scott. The approximately 40-by-12-foot murals were painted on parallel walls more than 20 feet above the theatre's floor by artist George Keifer sometime in the 1930s, according to artist Darline Grubbs, an artist from Manitou Springs, Colo.

Grubbs and her daughter Wendy Davis, Littleton, Colo. were hired by Liberty Theatre owner Jim Smith to restore the murals that are beginning to chip and fade away.

"We didn't want to lose them," Smith said.

Smith added even though only part of one of the murals has been restored so far, there is a drastic difference in the portion of the painting that has been restored and the portion that is still in its original state.

According to Grubbs and Davis, the wall behind the mural on the north side of the theatre had become rotten. In order to restore the painting, the two artists first had to restore the wall behind the mural.

"The painting is fun," Grubbs said. "It's the wall repair that's the hard part. We're rebuilding the wall as well as restoring the mural."

In order to restore the paintings as accurately as possible, Grubbs and Davis have been taking a series of photos that allow them to recreate the masterpiece just as it originally was when Keifer painted it.

"It's important to save something like this," Grubbs said. "It was dirty and faded and now it's bright and cheerful and happy."

Davis added, "There are different ways to restore paintings. We'll basically be keeping the integrity of the original. Everybody that comes in says it (mural before and after restoration) looks like night and day. It's coming together section by section."

Grubbs and Davis said it will take them about two weeks to complete the restoration on each mural. Grubbs added, now days, to have a mural painted similar to the ones the two artists are restoring would likely cost $150,000.

The two artists agreed that saving Keifer's paintings is especially important considering the historical nature of downtown Fort Scott.

According to the Liberty Theatre's Web site, www.fslibertytheatre.com, the theatre plays host to various entertainment groups and is also available for rent for various activities.

"The building showcases two large murals with historic depictions of Fort Scott, warm and inviting color schemes, comfortable lobby areas, a full bar and buffet area, an outdoor courtyard area, a stage, new sound and lighting and an overall capacity of 515 people," the Web site said. "The Liberty provides various forms of entertainment and is also available for receptions, weddings, meetings, banquets and corporate events."

For more information about the Liberty Theatre, call (620) 223-4060.