Brightspeed, River Valley Arts Center and local partners celebrate public art project designed to address community history and pride in how far the community has come
RUSSELLVILLE, AR — May 29, 2026 — Community leaders, residents and local partners, including Brightspeed, gathered at the River Valley Arts Center today to celebrate the unveiling of a new public mural designed to reflect on the region’s history, inspire a new sense of inclusion and connection and contribute to ongoing revitalization efforts in the heart of the River Valley.
Painted on the original public city pool pump house, the mural transforms the historic structure into a more vibrant gathering place that reflects the spirit, creativity and resilience of the community.
“The mission of the River Valley Arts Center is to create opportunities for participation, education, appreciation and enjoyment of the arts for all,” said River Valley Arts Center Board President, Sherry Tinerella. “Projects like this make art accessible to everyone while strengthening community identity. We’re grateful for partnerships that help bring creativity into public spaces and demonstrate the important role art plays.”
The mural, designed and painted by Arkansas artist Leslie Reese, whose work captures both the heritage and future of the River Valley community.
“Murals become part of a community’s daily experience,” said muralist Leslie Reese. “People pass by them on their way to work, gather near them with friends and create memories around them over time. I wanted this piece to reflect energy, history and pride that already exist here while creating something that feels welcoming and lasting for everyone who sees it.”
For Brightspeed, the partnership reflects the company’s broader commitment to investing in the communities it serves, not only through technology, but through projects that strengthen connection and quality of life.
“At Brightspeed, we believe strong communities are built through connectivity and shared experiences,” said Lymari Munoz, Local Marketing Manager, Brightspeed. “As we continue expanding fiber internet access across the region, we’re equally proud to support projects like this that celebrate local identity, create meaningful spaces and bring all people together in lasting ways.”
About Brightspeed
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. and with assets and associated operations in 20 states, Brightspeed provides broadband and telecommunications services through a network platform capable of serving more than 7.3 million homes and businesses. Our nearly 4,000 employees are committed to building a future where more communities benefit from a more connected life, deploying a state-of-the-art fiber network and a customer experience that makes being connected as simple as it should be.
