DAPHNE, Ala. — Progress on the city of Daphne’s downtown mural series has been made as two more of the artists charged with capturing past and present scenes of Daphne have started work on their murals.

Three of the artists and their works in their series have previously been spotlighted in the Daphne Bulletin.

Susan I.C. Howell, a local artist, was asked to paint a series of murals on the side of Manci’s Antique Club and Restaurant.

The historic restaurant is well-known for housing an impressive selection of decanters.

The first of three of Howell’s murals depicts a sampling of the decanters found inside Manci’s, including one of an elephant, the owner’s favorite.

Also pictured are: a jukebox, brim fish, art-deco cat and a helmet and boots — commemorating the Vietnam War.

The depiction also includes a shadowed decanter representing a piece titled “Bank of Chicago,” a decanter celebrating the bank’s 100-year-anniversary that the restaurant’s owner has long coveted. Howell painted a number of ladybugs hidden among the decanters.

The second of Howell’s murals on the front of the restaurant will be painted on the outside patio door and will resemble an open door looking into the pool hall.

Included will be a pool table, lighting and a sign that reads, “please use front door.”

The third mural — and largest of the project — will portray the Manci’s block circa 1920. Using a photo of the area as guidance, Howell will recreate: an alley where Manci’s patio currently sits; a general hardware store that encompassed half of neighboring Vinny’s; Daphne Meat Market, which stood between Vinny’s and Guido’s; and the Daphne State Bank, which sat on the end of the block.

Howell has been painting murals for 17 years; many of her works can be found in private collections, though she said a number have been destroyed during past storms.

“A lot are in the bottom of the Gulf thanks to (Hurricane) Katrina,” Howell said.

Howell expressed her gratitude to be a part of a project that has the potential to bring exposure and tourism dollars to Olde Towne Daphne.

“I’m pleased to be a part of it,” she said. “I think community service on any level is important and everyone has a responsibility.”

Muralist Ameri’ca Jones has nearly completed her depiction of an early settling farmer, a representation of the city’s founding Italian immigrants and the land they settled.

“One of those important elements is the history of the settling families that settled Daphne,” Jones said of the murals series’ theme.

The painting’s border will include the names of all of the founding families. Though the artist could not confirm all the names, past newspaper reports list these early familiies as the Allegris, Guariscos, Bonis, Triones, Mancis, Bertagnollis, Lazzaris, Bergas, Bertollas, Cortes and Mancis.

A full-time artist, Jones has recently completed a mural on the Mullet Run fountain in Fairhope as well as a mural for the Fairhope Museum of History.

“I think it’s a good project,” Jones said of the murals series. “I think it’ll be interesting to see how it develops. It adds an element to quaint downtowns to have murals.”

Jones said she anticipates the mural series to have a positive impact on the community: “to put a value on that is a huge importance for Daphne,” she said. “It develops the whole community.”