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Bakery Fights Town over Mural

Bakery Fights Town over Mural

Photo: Saga Communications


In Conway, a painting of pastries has led to zoning dispute, a First Amendment lawsuit and a local vote. It started with a well-intentioned high school art project, covering a blank wall over a roadside bakery. The mural above Leavitt’s Country Bakery shows the sun shining over mountains made of chocolate and strawberry donuts, a cinnamon roll and a blueberry muffin. The zoning board says the painted pastries over the bakery make it advertising as well as art, so the mural is a sign that’s four sizes too big. Faced with modifying or removing the mural, or possibly dealing with fines and criminal charges, the owner has sued, saying the town is violating his freedom of speech rights.

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