Deborah Mansfield, Black Prairie Blues Museum director, points Wednesday to open spaces on a pet juke joint mural on the side of Frank’s Package Store in West Point. The mural, which Mansfield finished initial work on in August, is part of an ongoing fundraiser to help raise $13,000 to help cover annual operating expenses. Braden Simmons/Dispatch Staff WEST POINT – Like most years, Black Prairie Blues Museum director Deborah Mansfield has spent the year brainstorming ways to cover the museum’s annual operating costs. This year she’s especially concerned that after advocating and receiving more than $173,000 since January to cover improvements including new exterior signage, new sound equipment and a renovated stage, it could be for nothing if some revenue isn’t found fast to keep the lights on at the museum. Deborah Mansfield “We’re very fortunate to be able to have all these grants and all these generous businesses and organizations help us out with that, but unfortunately, they don’t cover operating expenses,” Mansfield told The Dispatch. “And that’s what we’re in dire need of … (is money to cover) insurance, utilities, upkeep of the museum, things that we need for the museum as far as supplies.” That concern is why Mansfield called Frank Portera, owner of Frank’s Package Store in West Point, to create another mural on the west side of his building. Mansfield has already completed a number of murals on the building’s exterior for other local causes like the West Point-Clay County Animal Shelter over the last seven years, so Portera said it was a no-brainer to give her space to do another. “Everything requires having the money to operate, and we’re not a town that money just flows freely in, and you have to raise every penny that you can to promote these projects,” Portera said. “And that’s what (Mansfield is) all about. She’s out here, and she doesn’t get paid for this. She works her rear off and does it. I think it’s most important.” The mural, which is an image of the interior of a juke joint, is now available for donors to pay $450 to add their pets within the walls of the establishment. For an additional $100, a donor’s pet could even be center stage with the venue’s revered blues band, Mansfield said. “If you want your dog or cat or iguana or rooster or whatever you have to go on the wall in the joint (I’ll add them),” Mansfield said. Mansfield said there are already two animals on the mural with about 28 more spots available. She aims to raise about $13,000 from the mural to help put a dent in operating costs for this year because they’re currently “working on fumes.” “I would say, we need like $60,000 to operate right now,” Mansfield said. “If we had a paid director and an assistant, we would probably need at least $80,000 more. We’re always needing money, like every 501(c)(3).” In total, the museum costs about $90,000 annually to operate, and Mansfield said it’s becoming difficult each year to reach that threshold entirely relying on the West Point community. Moving forward, Mansfield said she would like to try and advocate for local and state funding to give the museum more of a safety net. Ensuring the future Mansfield said she’s had discussions with West Point’s board of selectmen to designate a portion of the city’s 2% tourism tax revenue to go directly to assisting the museum’s operating expenses. “I’m working with the city on maybe getting some tourism tax dollars,” Mansfield said. “… So hopefully, we’ll be able to get some money from the city and the state to help us out. We always get help from our private individuals and businesses too, (but) we just need a lot.” Mayor Rod Bobo did not respond Wednesday to multiple requests for comment from The Dispatch. District 16 Senator Angela Turner-Ford, D-West Point, said she believes the city should consider the museum’s future a “high priority” and discuss any available avenues they have to ensure it remains a local fixture. Angela Turner-Ford “It’s definitely, I believe, a worthwhile project,” Turner-Ford said. “I certainly appreciate the efforts of the Black Prairie Museum to cater to children, provide a venue for adults as well, and I think … it stands to be a great asset for our local community, and I would like them to receive every available opportunity to access the state for funds. I’ve been trying to explore avenues and opportunities for funding, and I will continue to do so.” Over the last two legislative sessions, Turner-Ford has authored bills to help appropriate the museum $2 million in additional funding, but neither passed. Turner-Ford said she plans to author those bills again in January to keep advocating for the museum. Though she’s not entirely sure why the bill has had issues getting passed in previous sessions, Turner-Ford said she has hopes to get these allocation bills passed this session because of the immediate need at the museum. “I think perhaps maybe there have been other types of structures (that) have been funded in the past,” Turner-Ford said. “I don’t know if that has been the reason that other requests have been denied, or there may be some sort of tiering process. I really just cannot say. I think my role is to make the request, present as many sound arguments as I can, and just hope when the funds are allocated that ours will be considered.” Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 40 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community. Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 40 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.