The Speakeasy Inn is getting a mural--of a speakeasy

Jackie Jirak and Lori Faust in front of what will become the mural at Speakeasy Inn

When the Old World Inn in Spillville changed its named to the Speakeasy Inn, co-owner Lori Faust knew that wasn't the only change that could happen.  "I always wanted a mural," Lori tells decorahnews.com.

One night she was discussing her dream of having a mural, talking with Jackie Jirak from Waucoma.  What she didn't know was that Jackie had graduated from Luther College in 2010 with an art minor.

"This is a dream," says Jackie, who got the go ahead from Lori to design and paint a large mural on one wall of the restaurant.  But not just any mural--a lively scene of a 1920s speakeasy, complete with historical figures such as Bugsy Siegel and Billie Holiday.  Not only that, but other employees at the restaurant dressed up in period costumes to pose for Jackie for the mural.

A week or so ago, Jackie began transferring her sketch to the wall of the restaurant, working mainly in the morning, when the light coming through the restaurant's large front windows was strong.

Jirak says the project has been going well and the actual painting should begin in February.  She's not sure how long it will take to complete the mural, but she's glad for the chance to paint one.  While she took a number of classes as an art minor at Luther College, "portraits have been my favorites."

Faust is happy, too.  Now the "Speakeasy Inn" has a picture of a speakeasy to go along with its name.

Detail of the mural

Billie Holiday

"Bugsy" Siegel