A Portrait of a Building – and the Community Around It

When we purchased our building in downtown Mason City, we knew we wanted to do something special to honor it.

Historic buildings have a way of telling stories. The architecture, the details, the way they’ve stood through decades of change — they become part of the identity of a community. This building is no exception, and from the moment we took ownership, we felt a responsibility to preserve and celebrate what it represents.

So we decided to commission a portrait of it.

And while we could have asked an artist from anywhere, that was never going to be the plan. At Lee Realty, our motto is Locally Grown; Locally Owned, and that philosophy guides so many of the decisions we make. It’s not just a ‘tagline’ for our business. It’s our way of life, personally and professionally Supporting and showcasing the people who make our community special matters deeply to us.

That’s why we reached out to one of our favorite people – Troy Sundt.

Our connection with Troy goes back many years. Both John and I had the privilege of teaching him when he was a student in the Mason City School District. Even then, we knew he was incredibly talented – particularly musically. But like many creative people, Troy’s gifts didn’t stop in just one place.

A few years ago, he picked up a paintbrush.

It didn’t take long for everyone around him to realize that he had an extraordinary ability as a painter as well. Troy is one of those rare individuals whose talents run deep in many directions… and yet he remains one of the most humble people you will ever meet. We also knew how much he loved and appreciated this building. We we confident he would honor this building through his talents as he also felt a connection to it.

When he agreed to paint our building, we knew it would be special.

What we didn’t quite expect was just how beautifully he would capture its character — the architecture, the presence, and the feeling of this place that means so much to us and to our downtown.

The finished piece is more than just a painting. It’s a tribute to the history of the building, the people who have passed through its doors, and the future we hope to help create here.

And it’s also a reminder of something we believe deeply: a community is built by the people who live, work, and create within it.

We’re proud that this portrait was created by a local artist who grew up here and continues to call this place home. Supporting people like Troy is just one small way we can celebrate the talent and heart that exists throughout North Iowa.

This piece will soon be framed and proudly displayed in the building, where we hope it will be enjoyed for many years to come.

THANK YOU, Troy. Your work helped us capture a moment in this building’s story – and we’re incredibly grateful.