When Ralph Hendricks was Fire Chief he always had the idea that the walls were in need of something appropriate to greet the visitors who came to the station. He commissioned artist, Lori Sears to paint a mural that would convey the message that the Marble Falls Fire Department was prepared to respond, protect and educate. A Currier & Ives image was chosen to visualize these ideas.

Sears put her training as a muralist to work along with the members of the fire department to get the job done. Sears has a Fine Arts degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, Maryland. Part of her training there was to learn the old-world techniques to execute murals. She has been freelancing in a variety of media since graduating from school, including murals for the Austin Children’s Museum, Flat Creek Estates Winery and private residences throughout the Hill Country of Texas.

She enjoys painting murals and always learns from each job. “This job taught me about the dedicated spirit and giving soul of the firefighter.” This was one of her favorite murals to do because the firehouse staff were very helpful in every phase of the job. Some of Sears’ other work, including the Marble Falls Fire Station mural can be viewed at www.riverbendfineart.com.

Hendricks has moved on from Fire Chief to be the Marble Falls Assistant City Manager. Part of his legacy is this beautiful and powerful mural to remind everyone who visits and works here of the strong and noble traditions of firefighters. These qualities are a strong base to build upon and plan the future expansion of the growing City of Marble Falls.