Karli IngersollSeveral months ago I went to Boise and was inspired to write a little about the stark contrast I was faced with between the vibrant, fresh public art there compared to the dusty, faded murals in Spokane. I’m a new member of the Spokane Arts Commission and was able soon after that to help jury the submissions for the new downtown murals which are now underway. It’s been so exciting to see the positive response and even national coverage the project has received over the summer. New art, fresh paint and employed artists are putting us on the right track and making citizens realize how much impact public art can have. It’s empowering and life giving. It gives us all ownership and a feeling of community. This is our art.
The most prominent mural in the news as of late is this beauty by Todd and Cain Benson. It’s at the corner of Maple and 2nd and is now filled with color although I do like this black and white stage as well.
Photo by Daniel Baumer
Another mural just a few blocks away can be found in progress by the SUMAC project. A group of amazing artists, muralists and design gurus featuring Jesse Pierpoint, Tiffany Patterson and more. They accepted submissions from wee ones to incorporate into the mural giving it a kid-friendly, extra communal feel. Super excited to see the final results!
The SUMAC project also recently wrapped up a fun mural over on Northwest Blvd. for a local small business owner. The business is called Whole Lotta Love and is opening soon featuring an event facility and recording studio. It’s still in the works, but it looks like they are on the right track.
Several other murals are being completed this summer under the downtown train bridges. Here’s a few progress shots…
Ellen Picken and Erin Mielcarek work on their geometric, sonic inspired mural.
Eric-Alain Parker and Lisa Soranaka are working hard on their organic/nature inspired piece on Cedar. Check out the story and gallery Krem2 did recently.
On top of all the new murals, the city also decided that the big marmot mural needed to be freshened up. Tom Quinn, the original artist of the mural will be redoing it with a similar Spokane-centered landscape. Featuring a shirtless caveman guy hugging a giant marmot. (?) Tom’s painting style is quintessential Spokane in my opinion, so I’m sure the revamped walls will be stunning.
Global Credit Union also jumped in on the “mural” fun with a live painted billboard event. Jesse Pierpoint strikes again. He’s a mad man with so much skill and energy. This large scale Nelson Mandela portrait is a perfect showcase of his masterful talent.
Things have really only just begun. The SUMAC folks have some secret new projects in the works and Spokane Arts just put out a call for submissions for it’s first Mobile Gallery! After this post on Spokane Rising went viral, important people stepped up and the City is running with the concept. How about that? We do have some power to create positive change. The project will be volunteer based, but I’m positive that will not slow it down.
Amazing what can happen when some momentum builds. People start to take ownership, they get excited and paint starts flying. What will we see next??