A new mural, a shared vision for the Treynor community
August 14, 2026
As the grandstand cheer goes:
"Give me a T, T, R, E, Y, N, N, O, R. T, R, E, Y, N, O, R. Treynor! Treynor! Treynor!"
It's another great day to be a Cardinal and for Treynor.
A new community mural now brightens the Four Corners intersection, adding another chapter to a growing story of community pride, placemaking and volunteer-driven progress. TS Bank was honored to partner with Treynor's Tomorrow, a volunteer-led arm of the City of Treynor, in helping bring this vision to life through ongoing beautification and signage efforts. The mural is one of several projects designed to strengthen community identity, enhance quality of life as well as create a welcoming experience for residents and visitors alike.
The mural was made possible through a 2026 AARP Community Challenge Flagship Grant awarded to Treynor's Tomorrow. The group was selected in an incredibly competitive grant cycle that included more than 5,100 applications nationwide. The grant supports two murals as part of the Treynor Main Street Placemaking Project, a community-led effort focused on transforming the town's sole four-way intersection into a vibrant community landmark and gathering place.
Today, the first of those murals proudly welcomes travelers along Highway 92 from the west side of the little white building at the Four Corners.
Designed by Madaline McVay, a southwest Iowa native now living near Atlantic, her work spans from visual design, video storytelling, apparel and branding community initiatives. Her creative fingerprints can be found on numerous projects throughout southwest Iowa, including SHIFT ATL apparel, TS Bank campaigns, and perhaps most memorably, TS Bank's centennial merchandise. This mural represents her first large-scale public art installation in Treynor and brings her storytelling talents to one of the community's most visible locations.
The design draws inspiration from the Loess Hills and the pieces that make Treynor uniquely Treynor. Agricultural heritage, the iconic water tower, cardinal pride, the eagle monument featuring the Huey helicopter, all find a place within the artwork. Each letter carries its own identity while contributing to a larger story about the community's past, present and future reminiscent of a postcard, creating a memorable photo opportunity too.
The mural is vibrant, but its significance goes far beyond the design on the wall.
At its heart, this project is about placemaking, the intentional effort to create spaces where people want to gather, connect and build community.
The Four Corners area has become an important hub for community life in recent years. Adjacent to the mural sits the community green space, which has played host to pop-up shops, community gatherings, and events that have drawn hundreds of attendees. Partnerships between the City of Treynor, TS Bank, Occasional Collective, Silos, Tweets, Jarvis Quality Meats, local entrepreneurs, volunteers and residents have transformed the space into a destination that brings people together.
The success of those efforts helped spark GreenSpace Jam, a summer concert series created through partnerships among Treynor's Tomorrow, the City of Treynor, TS Bank, Iowa West Foundation, Community Foundation of Western Iowa as well as other community supporters. What began as a simple idea to bring more activity and connection to the green space evolved into a vibrant community event that celebrates music, local businesses and small-town life.
The nearby Treynor Pop-Up Shop initiative in the "little white building" has similarly provided opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs to showcase their products while creating additional activity at the Four Corners. Look for more hometown market pop ups coming this fall.
These efforts are all connected by a common goal to help make Treynor a welcoming place to live, work, raise a family as well as a regional destination.
As new housing developments continue to emerge and community growth continues, projects like murals, lighting, signage, public spaces, and community events play an important role in shaping the experience people have when they arrive in town.
A second history-focused mural is currently underway by local artist Lauren Kalstrup, a 2024 Treynor High School graduate and Graphic Design student at Northwestern College. Her newest work will build upon the community's storytelling efforts while celebrating another important piece of Treynor's heritage.
Additional enhancements are also on the horizon, including new LED landscape lighting in the community green space supported through a Community Foundation of Western Iowa grant. These improvements will help create an inviting atmosphere for concerts, holiday celebrations and future community gatherings.
Perhaps the most inspiring part of this story is that none of it happened by accident.
Behind every mural, concert, sign, welcome bag and community event is a dedicated group of volunteers who believe in Treynor's future and are willing to invest their time and talents to make it even better.
Driven by the members of the Treynor's Tomorrow Beautification and Signage Committee and supported by numerous partnerships throughout the community, this mural stands as a reminder of what is possible when local residents work together toward a shared vision.
Beyond the buildings, infrastructure and economic growth, it's a visual reminder of what a community values most and creating places that people are proud to call home.
And for Treynor, it's another great reminder that the future is bright!
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