Elia Frazier will assist artist Jordan Justice in painting murals on water tanks
Somerset High School senior Elia Frazier will spend her summer showing her community what she can do.
Residents and visitors traveling U.S. 27 on the south end of Somerset-Pulaski County will be able to watch Frazier learn and share her talent as she joins local artist Jordan Justice in painting three water towers at the City of Somerset’s Water Treatment Plant.
Frazier is the winner of the Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA) art contest, which endeavored to pair a local art student with Justice to complete the second phase of the water tank beautification project.
The project kicked off in the summer of 2021 when SPEDA partnered with the City of Somerset and Lake Cumberland Tourism to create a mural on the largest tank at the plant. That mural, painted by Justice, highlights the community’s designations as the Capital of Lake Cumberland and the Houseboat Capital of the World. He will paint the remaining three tanks this summer.
Students were asked to submit a painting or drawing that depicts a landmark, signature location, or item that represents Somerset-Pulaski County, or a painting or drawing that represents what Somerset-Pulaski County means to them. Winners were selected by a panel of judges representing all of the partners in the beautification project.
In addition to hands-on experience with a professional artist, Frazier received a $250 cash prize and her painting will be displayed in the Pulaski County Public Library community room. The second- and third-place winners are also Somerset High School students — Abigail Bowers, a sophomore, received second place and a $100 cash prize, and senior Kenny Williams received third and a $50 cash prize.
“I continue to be amazed at the incredible talent of our young people,” SPEDA President and CEO Chris Girdler said. “All of the students who entered our contest have a commanding knowledge of painting and illustration and they all answered the call to share their visual perspective of our community. Elia’s piece stood out as one that reflects the boldness and vibrancy of Somerset and Pulaski County that we have been working so hard to promote. I am thrilled for her and can’t wait to see how her talent will complement Jordan’s on this project.”
Girdler said he is grateful to Pulaski County Library Director Charlotte Keeney for giving space to display Frazier’s piece in the library’s community room.
“The team at the Pulaski County Library works tirelessly to promote education, literacy and the arts, and Charlotte Keeney’s willingness to give this young student added exposure is proof of that effort,” Girdler said. “I am so appreciative of the library’s commitment to improving quality of life in Pulaski County and supporting our youth in these ways.”
Frazier’s painting depicts Somerset-Pulaski County in four quadrants, with visuals of Lake Cumberland, downtown festivals, Somernites Cruise and Mill Springs Battlefield. Each quadrant blends with the next, and a vibrant color palette is on display. Tying all the quadrants together is a bouquet of bright pink flowers in the center of the piece.
Justice, who has become well known in southern and eastern Kentucky for his outdoor mural work, said Frazier’s piece demonstrates skill in the use of color and could easily translate to a large format.
“I think Elia is going to thrive in a large-scale project environment,” Justice said. “Her piece is bright and bold and has many qualities important to an outdoor mural. I am excited to work with her and share my passion for painting in the hopes that it will help her grow as an artist.”