YORK, Pa. — A new painting project in York is nearly complete, as a giant mural outside Mudhook Brewing Company honors the community's past.
The piece has been a labor of love for artist Paul Godfrey, a York resident and construction worker. After long days working in construction, Godfrey says his temporary second job serves as a creative outlet.
"I just get lost when I’m doing it,” Godfrey said. "You think about other things. It’s relaxing and time does fly by."
This is the biggest piece Godfrey has done to date, and it is nearly completed just five days later. And with his art showcased in such a large and public manner, Godfrey believes that sharing that creativity with the world can help bring the community together.
"I think there's a good art community in York and it's good to keep it going,” he said. "I think projects like this keep it going and keep people interested."
According to Mudhook employee Corey Wolfe, the mural is an interpretation of a historic image of Codorous Creek, which lies just a few blocks from the pub.
But Godfrey is bringing history to life in more ways than one. He is continuing the painting legacy of his grandfather, William McLaughlin, who painted buildings in York professionally decades ago.
"I just think it's neat that I used his brushes that he used to paint around the city, and I'm using his brushes to paint in the city, in a different way,” said Godfrey.
According to Wolfe, Godfrey is a regular at Mudhook and has done some smaller painted pieces around the bar in the past, including replicating the logos of all the beers on tap. This made selecting an artist for the mural an easy choice.
“When I thought about who do we see all the time and who do we know is qualified, it was Paul,” said Wolfe.
Wolfe says public art helps reduce vandalism, but it can also encourage more art in the community.
“Hopefully, Paul shows people this all the time and it inspires people to do more, and we see more public art and murals in the future,” Wolfe added.
But for Godfrey, the goal is simple.
"I just hope it brings smiles to people's faces, that's mainly why I do it," he said.
Through his art, Godfrey is holding onto the history of the community while blending his story into the walls of York.