photo by: Nick Krug

The street mural at the intersection of 10th and New Jersey streets is shown Tuesday, May 24, 2016, just over a month after it was painted.

The mystery as to why a street mural at the intersection of 10th and New Jersey streets faded after a matter of weeks — it was supposed to last two years — may be solved. Artists with the project said the paint supplier determined that the cause is mostly surface related.

“The asphalt has delaminated, which is the term for when asphalt breaks down, to the point where paint won’t adhere as well,” said Lawrence artist Katy Clagett. “So, it will still adhere but it’s not going to last as long as we would hope without really extensive prep work.”

Clagett designed the mural along with fellow artist Alicia Kelly. The project was originally budgeted at $3,450, most of which came from private funding. A $1,500 grant from the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission provided the rest. A “painting party” was held in April in which neighbors and friends came together to paint the mural.

In portions of the intersection where the once brightly painted mural has deteriorated, the weathered surface of asphalt can be seen. But Clagett said the mural will be recreated, either in the same location or on another East Lawrence street.

If the mural were to be restored at its current location, it will likely require a fresh coat of asphalt over the intersection so that the paint will properly adhere, Clagett said. She said the city isn’t able to fund such a project, so private donations of funds or services would have to be sought.

The second option is repainting the mural elsewhere in East Lawrence. That option would require less money, as the paint supplier is providing more paint at no additional cost and supplies used to paint the last mural can be reused, Clagett said. Whatever the case, Clagett said the idea of it being a neighborhood project is the same.

“Really it just comes down to what the neighborhood would like to see us do, and whether our energies would be best served selecting an intersection that’s in a little bit better condition so that the mural will last longer,” Clagett said.

A meeting to discuss the two options will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 22 in meeting room C at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St.