Franklin’s is more than just quirky toys for kids and homemade brews on tap. It also showcases local artists through a partnership with the Hyattsville Community Arts Alliance and will soon be the home of a new kinetic light mural.

Earlier today, the Hyattsville Wire caught up with Mike Franklin, the owner and founder of the restaurant/brewery/general store, to learn more about the planned mural.

He said it would help the Arts District live up to its name.

“It’s an arts district without a lot of visible manifestations of public art,” he said.

The mural will be created by Liz Manicatide, an artist from Boston who specializes in kinetic art, the exact kind of talent Franklin was looking for when he set out to do the project.

Franklin said he wanted a mural that involved movement and light. “My first love is neon, but neon is a little problematic when it comes to rules and regulations.”

Stretching some 40 feet wide and 12-14 feet tall along the south side of Franklin’s, the planned mural is scheduled to be completed by early September.

When the Hyattsville Wire asked him what the mural will look like Franklin said, “fanciful and colorful.”