Image: Artist Carl Leck works on the new bird mural at the Wortman Family Civic Theatre in Shelbyville. The artwork celebrates Shelby County’s Bird Town Indiana certification and will wrap around three sides of the building once completed. Photo by Ross Flint / The Shelbyville News.
Shelby County is marking its Bird Town Indiana status with a bit of color and a lot of pride. A new community mural is taking shape on the Wortman Family Civic Theatre, created with support from a National Audubon Society grant and local partners. As far as we can tell, it is the first Audubon-funded bird mural in Indiana, which makes it a notable moment for the Bird Town Indiana program.
The artwork, led by artist Carl Leck, highlights the birds that call Shelby County home and reflects the community’s commitment to habitat, education, and conservation planning. Public art like this does something science alone cannot. It puts birds in front of people who might not yet be thinking about migration or native plants, and it sparks curiosity at the street level.
Shelby County was the first county in the state to earn Bird Town certification, and the mural adds a visible landmark to the work already underway. The county team has been busy with habitat projects, outreach, and long-term planning that benefits both birds and people.
The mural offers a simple invitation to anyone passing by. Look up. Notice the birds around you. Consider how towns, neighborhoods, and campuses of all kinds can support the wildlife that shares our spaces. It is a small reminder with a big ripple effect.
If you want to learn more about the Bird Town program or how your community can get started, contact Sam Urquidez, our Bird Programs and Partnerships Manager, at [email protected].
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