The faded Great Dysart Gorge pictured on Friday, May 19, ahead of its repainting which was set to begin this past Monday. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

DYSART – The Great Dysart Gorge is in need of a makeover – and the funds to do so.

Beginning this week, Anthony Gasco with Accent Painting and Refinishing of La Porte City will be working to repaint the giant anamorphic illusion on Dysart’s downtown Main Street.

The Great Dysart Gorge was first painted onto the street back in May of 2018 by hundreds of volunteers in an effort to court more tourists to the picturesque downtown and its small businesses.

With Dysart’s Sesquicentennial celebrations set for July 2-3 fast approaching, a repaint of The Great Dysart Gorge – which has faded and wore off due to traffic and the weather – was deemed necessary by members of Vision Dysart.

Last Sunday afternoon the much-needed refresh began with members of the Dysart Fire Dept. and other community volunteers sweeping and washing the street in preparation for Gasco’s work which was set to commence Monday.

A member of the Dysart Fire Department sprays water onto Main Street last Sunday, May 21, in preparation for The Great Dysart Gorge repainting set to take place this past week. PHOTO COURTESY OF CATHARINE WIECK

Vision Dysart has been diligently working the last few weeks to procure paint for Gasco, first by collecting donated paint from the community, but unfortunately much of what was donated was too light.

“We had very little darker-colored paint donated so we had to buy more,” Vision Dysart member Catharine Wieck explained on Sunday. “[Vision Dysart member] Janet Wilson applied for a grant to help cover the cost and we are waiting to hear on that.”

The organization is seeking monetary donations to help cover the cost of the darker paint. Email dysartdev@gmail.com for more information or to donate.

The south half of Main Street between Wilson and Clark will remain closed through Saturday, May 27 as Gasco finishes his work.

The Great Dysart Gorge 2.0 coming soon.

Volunteers including members of the Dysart Fire Dept. work to sweep and clean Main Street where The Great Dysart Gorge is painting last Sunday afternoon. PHOTO COURTESY OF CATHARINE WIECK