MVP’s plant giveaway to celebrate Monarch mural outside Honest Coffee

MADISON – Madison Visionary Partners or MVP will conduct an interesting, themed occasion to celebrate completion of the “March of the Monarch” mural on Shorter Street.

MVP will host the Pollinator Plant and Seed Giveaway to recognize the mural’s ‘opening’ on May 5 from 1 to 3 p.m. The plants will be available outside Honest Coffee Roasters at 92 Shorter St., immediately south of The Avenue apartment community. The giveaway will continue while supplies last.

“Swing by on May 5 to check out the ‘March of the Monarchs’ mural, pick up a free pollinator plant or seeds, and learn more about how you can help the Monarchs,” MVP Executive Director Melanie Thornton said.

Blooming Garden Alabama is supplying the plants.

“Pop into Honest Coffee Roasters, where they will be featuring a special brew, Flower Power Latte, to celebrate the day,” Thornton said.

“The Madison Mural Trail is truly a grassroots effort that began with a group of community members who wanted to see more public art in the city,” Thornton said. “Madison Visionary Partners was happy to lead this project, and, over the course of a year, we have worked closely with city leaders to bring this idea to reality.”

Sponsor for the event is Bank Independent.

Through grants and corporate donors, MVP has successfully funded two mural projects, which were completed in April.

“Designed by the incredibly talented local artist, Ann Moeller, the ‘March of the Monarch’ mural will pay homage to the Monarch butterfly — our state insect and a symbol of transformation and community, which represents our own city’s growth,” Thornton said.

To assist the monarchs’ migration, MVP is leading a community project to encourage residents and businesses to plant more pollinator gardens. “The Monarch butterfly is Alabama’s state insect and is in need of our help,” project leader Bailey Erickson said. “The Monarch population has declined by 90 percent due to insecticides, urban sprawl, climate change (and other factors).”

“Madison is a stop on the Monarch’s journey from Mexico, and we’re trying to provide them with more food to stay strong and for the Monarch population to increase,” Erickson said.

The second mural, “Madison Station, Established 1869,” appears on the eastern side of retail stores at 14 Main St. in downtown Madison. Sonya Clemons designed the mural.

To complete the mural project, MVP received funding from Huntsville Area Association of Realtors or HAAR, Toyota Alabama, Sealy Management and Bank Independent.

For more information, visit mvpmadison.org or honesthsv.coffee.