By Natalie Morales
Enquirer staff writer

Jefferson Moss of Lafayette, La., (left) and Jason Brake of Covington work on a mural inspired by Covington churches. Passersby often recognize landmarks and stop to comment while the artists paint. The Enquirer/PATRICK REDDY

COVINGTON - Artists are almost finished with the eighth and largest mural in a timeline depicting the city's history on the 700-foot-long floodwall.

Untitled until its completion within two weeks, the mural illustrates seven of the city's churches. It covers three 20-by-25-foot panels.

"I've always thought of the city of Covington as a city of churches," Mayor Butch Callery said. "There are all kinds of denominations in the city, so it's kind of neat to have a mural of several different churches in the area. It really exemplifies what the city is about."

The artists, led by internationally known muralist Robert Dafford of Lafayette, La., began work on the church mural in June. By November, they hope to complete at least four additional murals on the wall, which spans from the Roebling Suspension Bridge to just west of the floodwall's Madison Avenue opening, said Jason Brake, a Covington artist who's working on the murals.

Legacy, a program created to develop young community leaders, is coordinating the project. It sought out Dafford to be the main artist after seeing his work in some Ohio cities.

"I have many years' experience with painting historical murals and developing historical districts in downtowns around the U.S.," he said.

The sections pique the interest of passersby, Brake said, as they remember the places and people now gracing the cement wall.

"We get a whole lot of people walking by," he said. "We get a lot of great, positive feedback from everybody."

Brake got involved with the project by chance after offering to help last summer and finding the painting to be full-time. Artists often work on the project eight to 14 hours a day.

The mural timeline should be finished next year, said Traci Griffin, co-chair of the project and president of Legacy.

Each portion of the mural is funded by donations from residents, companies and the city. Each panel costs $20,000 and larger sections are $35,000, she said.

Upcoming murals will focus on Jacob Price, a prominent black Covington businessman; Covington's bicentennial; and Frank Duveneck and Henry Farny, two Covington painters.

E-mail nmorales@enquirer.com