Foley Main Street is putting out the call for mural artists. The three phased project will celebrate the city's history.

In partnership with the Foley Art Center, the Foley Main Street is seeking an experienced artist to create a collaborative mural that represents Foley. The project has been named Cat Alley.

The Cat Alley project area is located in the alley behind Hotel Magnolia and Yabba's Wacky Snack Shack. The project is in honor of John McClure Snook and his love of cats.

Snook was a southern gentleman, community service-oriented leader and a visionary with a love for cats. He owned the Hotel Magnolia and the Gulf Telephone Company. An underground tunnel was built between his two building which goes right under Cat Alley. The Gulf Telephone Building was built as a civil defense shelter and the tunnel was part of that.

Snooks love of cats spilled into his businesses. There were cat doors at Hotel Magnolia to allow the cats to come and go as they pleased. He even had a house that was just for cats.

He was ahead of his time with women's liberation. Snook trained his female employees to defend themselves and their home during the Cold War. They were also trained in jobs that the men did at GulfTel. He became known worldwide for his "Nylon Army." Women sharpshooters shot cigarillos that he held between his lips for publicity stunts.

Cat Alley will be made up of six anchor components completed in three phases:

• A 30-foot panel mural by commissioned professional working with students.
• Four door murals by commissioned professional artists.
• 12-foot mural by commissionable professional artist
• Small pocket park entrance to Cat Alley
• Alston Entrance beautification walkway
• Historic Walk mural by professional commissioned artist

The first phase theme, 30-foot panel mural, should highlight recreation, reflecting Foley and Historic Downtown Foley. The mural will be designed by the artist and sketched out on to seven panels. Three of the panels will be painted by middle and high school students. The schools have been contacted and are eager to be a part of this unique process. The selected artist will paint the remaining panels.

The deadline for submissions is Nov. 30. Submit questions and proposals to foleymsfoundation@gmail.com