Famous Painter Finishes Murals of St. Charles County History

Look up as you visit the old St. Charles County Courthouse. There on the third-floor rotunda walls is the story of St. Charles County history told in paint.

Renowned artist Zack Smithey of St. Charles created the murals over the past several months, rendering eight different scenes of distinct time periods in local history.

The artwork shows St. Charles County wilderness days, pioneer times, the first State Capitol, the Civil War era, German immigration, industrialization, and the modern epoch of suburban growth.

"This tells the story of many of the great things that have happened here in St. Charles County, and it's amazing to see it all in one space," says County Executive Steve Ehlmann.

Ehlmann, an author who has written books on St. Charles County history, consulted with mural painter Smithey about the highlights of local history seen in the mural.

Smithey, 41, a St. Charles native and former art teacher at Francis Howell North, is known in the art world for works that are bright, bold, and never boring. He painted the mural over the past several months, working 20 feet off the floor on scaffolding around the walls.

"I've finally reached a point where I'm creating a mural that's going to be in a public space, around for generations after me. I think that's pretty cool," he says.

Smithey and his wife Brie have been married 14 years and live in St. Charles. They have three dogs and live in a container house decorated with his art.

A news conference and dedication are planned:

WHERE: St. Charles County Historic Courthouse, 100 North Third Street, St. Charles

WHEN: Friday, September 27 at 5 p.m. press conference. (public invited from 6-8 p.m.)

WHO: County Executive Steve Ehlmann, Mural Artist Zack Smithey, and County Council Chair Terry Hollander.

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