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Local Artist Brings Manlius to Life by Painting Murals Local Artist Brings Manlius to Life by Painting Murals

By Benjamin Goodman

A mural in front of Mark Noble's office
© 2022 CNY Magazine

GOODMAN: Artist Mark Noble began painting this mural 10 days ago. Today, it is almost finished. As efficient as Noble works, he credits it to the skills learned throughout his years.

NOBLE: It’s pretty exciting to actually, y’know, I went to Syracuse University and got a degree in illustration, and I’m able to utilize those skills I learned in college, I wasn’t painting murals in college y’know…

GOODMAN: Noble has a message in everything he paints. He often paints murals of Manlius’s history or other historical landmarks through the city. Noble says the purpose of his paintings have one main reason.

NOBLE: To beautify the village.. These buildings here are all the history of Manlius, all the important buildings and landmarks, some are still here, some have been repurposed into different things, some are the same things, and some have burned down over the years. But kind of just a way to show the history of the village of Manlius.

GOODMAN: This is just one of many murals that has been painted by Mark Noble throughout Manlius. he has received commendments from citizens and even the mayor, who has said that he’s never seen anything quite like this.

MAYOR WHORRALL: I mean it’s great for us, he’s got so many compliments on his work, and we’re proud of that because not only.. he does a great job, but he also has spruced up our village.

GOODMAN: Noble looks to begin painting in other Onondaga County cities. When asked if he has considered stopping soon, his mind was made up.

NOBLE: No I don’t hope so, I hope not.

GOODMAN: Ben Goodman, N-C-C News.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Next time you drive through Manlius and see murals painted on sides of houses, credit it to one man: Mark Noble. 

The Fayetteville resident always had an interest in art, but never found a direct path to prove his skills to a larger audience. Working as an independent artist, he began to paint on sides of buildings in 2006 and, most recently, in the Manlius Village Center with permission from Mayor Paul Whorrall. Today, he has seven completed murals throughout the town.

“I didn’t begin painting murals until I was in my twenties,” Noble said. “I was more into easel painting for a while, but then I got this opportunity and I guess it took off.”

Noble uses his paintings as a message to the community. All of his murals demonstrate specific historical landmarks in Manlius, such as Manlius’s original train station painted in the auditorium of the Manlius Senior Center. He attributes his skillset to the minds who taught him as he grew up.

“I went to Syracuse University and got a degree in illustration,” Noble said. “I’m able to utilize those skills I learned in college, I wasn’t painting murals in college y’know.”

Noble was not able to do this without help, however. His artwork is directly funded by the town of Manlius, and one of his biggest supporters is Manlius’ mayor himself. Mayor Whorrall gave Noble the go-ahead to spruce Manlius up after approval from business owners who’s buildings Noble’s murals appear on.

“It just seems like every time he gets to work, he paints with more passion than last time,” Whorrall said. “The people love him, and he loves just giving.”

Noble’s paintings make Manlius a one-of-a-kind town. In such a small town where it is harder to gain any recognition, he has seemingly become a local celebrity in Onondaga County, and Mayor Whorrall is more than pleased with the feedback he has received.

“I mean it’s great for us,” Whorall said. “He’s got so many compliments on his work, and we’re proud of that because… he does a great job, but he also has spruced up our village.”

Noble has expressed his hopes to take his paint to other cities and grow his platform by continuing to paint murals. For now, Noble is happy with where he’s gotten and has no intentions of slowing down.

“Paul asked if I wanted to keep going and I was confused,” Noble said. “So I asked ‘would I stop painting forever?’ and no, I don’t hope so, I hope not.”

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