A guesthouse in Parkhurst has sponsored a fresh coat of paint and added intrigue to an NYPD Armed Protection guard hut in 5th Street.
Betsie van der Walt of the Little Forest Guest House said the lockdown had a crippling effect on the economy, especially the hospitality industry.
“What used to be a fun-filled walk from my guesthouse to the bustling 4th Avenue in Parkhurst became a walk to a ghost town,” she said.
While some businesses have managed to stay afloat, others have sadly needed to close their doors.
“As a community, we are all longing for hope, new beginnings, a fresh start… What is better than a coat of new fresh paint to get rid of the old, dusty and ugly.”
Van der Walt said she wanted to change the humble guard hut into a work of art for the community and visitors to enjoy. NYPD security agreed to allow her to upgrade and beautify the hut.
Well-known mural artist Fourie Ackermann was commissioned by the guesthouse to do the artwork which took four days to complete.
Van der Walt described Ackermann as an exceptional muralist with a compassion for people and animals.
Ackermann said he was inspired by seeing the beauty of the autumn colours and green of the plants surrounding the hut.
He has painted a forest theme on the hut with stone stairs and a fish pond to create depth. He also painted a leopard on the wall of the guesthouse to serve as ‘added protection’.
“Every mural is a challenge, no matter how big or small because there is something I want to achieve,” said Ackermann. “The depth, the realism, to let it be part of the surrounding area.”
He was proud to see the interest that the community had shown in the art.
Van der Walt said, “It’s a pleasure to see people walking past, stopping, smiling and enjoying his art.”
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