When the Grand Old Post Office opens its doors to students in January 2018, there will be a two-story mural greeting them on the building’s east wall that celebrates OSU Institute of Technology and its partnership with the community.

And both the OSUIT and Okmulgee communities are invited to take part in choosing what the mural will be at the second Food for Thought event.

Four designs were submitted and will be displayed at the Food for Thought event on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. at the Okmulgee Community Center, 1201 W. 7th St.

Tickets are $10 and include dinner. Attendees will use their tickets to vote for the design they would like to see as a mural on the building. Tickets can be purchased at the President's Office on campus or at the door.

The nearly 100-year-old building in historic downtown Okmulgee, which was once the city’s post office, is being renovated and turned into loft-style apartments for OSUIT students.

This year’s mural project on OSUIT’s building is in conjunction with Okmulgee Main Street and Okmulgee Tourism.

OSUIT president Bill R. Path said the mural designs reflect the history of the building and well as the university’s presence in the community.

“We want it to be something meaningful for OSUIT and meaningful for the community,” Path said. “We are so excited that the east wall of the GOPO building will become a canvas for a muralist and the newest piece of public art in Okmulgee.”

More than 200 people came to last year’s Food for Thought dinner to hear from the finalists and cast their vote.

Chairwoman of the Okmulgee Main Street Design Committee Julie Roberds said the committee wanted residents of Okmulgee to have a voice when it came to public art in their community.

“We hope this event will give OSUIT students an opportunity to be part of the decision. We want them to know they are an integral part of our community and we are working to make a better Okmulgee for them,” Roberds said. “I firmly believe that public art builds attachment and love to one’s community.”

For more, go to Okmulgee Main Street’s Facebook page at facebook.com/okmulgee.mainstreet.