COOS COUNTY, Ore. - Two cities join forces to dedicate a mural joined at their borders, a project that has been two months in the making.

Coos Bay and North Bend's city officials picked up paint cups and brushes to help artist and landscaper Mike Vaughn make final touches to the areas' newest mural.

Two months of work culminate for Vaughn who says the mural continues the theme of Coos Bay's first mural 32 years ago alongside the Shark Bites building downtown.

"It was also tow boats, and ships, and water. This one here is really the same kind of cultural theme that we have the industrial waterfront and our connection with Asia."

Asian influences include the white caps on the water he credits to Japanese artist Hokusai.

Coos Bay city councilor Stephanie Kilmer says the project was funded through Urban Renewal dollars that have gone to a variety of projects.

"This project came to us because the artist had a vision. You can't always see the forest for the trees when you're in it, so we didn't really recognize it. Now it stands out, and it's beautiful art that visitors traveling along Highway 101 can see."

The theme of the mural, Vaughn says, is the North Bend and Coos Bay tow boats pushing the wall he calls a ship, out into the channel.

"We both, Coos Bay and North Bend, participate in this, economically participate in this whole operation."

The city says it will continue to support the arts throughout the community saying it's another part of drawing in visitors.

"The council has always supported. When I got on the council one of the first things that we did was the Prefontaine mural, and we know that that completely stops traffic."

Vaughn says the wall was pressure cleaned before over 60 gallons of paint went up.

He says the cargo and ships also represents the areas exploits into democracy.

North Bend Mayor Jessica Engelke and city manager David Milliron added their artistic touch to the mural as well as Coos Bay city manager Rodger Craddock and Chamber of Commerce director Timm Slater.