MISSOULA DOWNTOWN FOUNDATION LAUNCHES DOWNTOWN MURAL PROJECT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WORDEN’S MARKET AND MONTANA ARTIST MADISON PERRINS

For the third year in a row, the Missoula Downtown Foundation has supported art initiatives in the core of our community with the Arts and Culture Impact Grant program. Downtown Missoula’s newest mural, Alive with the Land, will begin this week. The Missoula Downtown Foundation has partnered with artist Madison Perrins, business owner Matt Muhsam, and Downtown property owner Tim France to create a large art mural on the south face of Worden’s Market at 451 N Higgins Avenue.

The Alive with the Land mural will span 1,250 square feet of the wall adjacent to the Worden’s parking lot. Artist Madison Perrins noted in her application that “this project will celebrate Missoula’s unique character and make the city feel even more welcoming, vibrant, and inclusive with a nod to Missoula’s beloved outdoor spaces.”

Perrins is an experienced Montana artist who has completed multiple murals and focuses on abstract themes that explore natural beauty, harmony, imperfection, and the grand emotional experiences found in the outdoors.

“Our board and staff are excited to partner with a local business owner and property owner to bring Madison’s vision of Alive with the Land to life,” said Rob Fleming, President of the Missoula Downtown Foundation Board of Directors. “It feels amazing to fund Montana artists for the third year in a row to beautify our beloved spaces in Downtown.”

In preparation for the artwork, business owner Matt Muhsam has installed panels on the south face of Worden’s Market to provide Perrins a uniform canvas for her artwork. Perrins will begin work on the project starting Saturday, June 6, and complete the mural within a few weeks. During installation, the adjacent sidewalk of the parking lot will experience partial closure to provide lift access to the artist.

“After years of coming to Missoula for the art, music, and good food, I’m beyond excited to finally add a little of my own color to its walls,” said Madison Perrins. “This city has filled my cup in so many ways, and with this mural at Worden’s, I hope to give a little of that joy and Montana beauty back.”

The Arts & Culture Impact Grant program was created in 2023 with the intent to partner artists with building owners and funding to create destination artwork and implement goals of the Downtown Master Plan and its subsets, including more art, placemaking projects, alley activation projects, and gateway improvements. The Foundation will fund two mural projects this year, with a second piece to begin at the Wren Hotel in July.

 “Exie and I are so looking forward to having Madison’s mural on the Worden’s building,” mentioned Tim France, property owner of 451 N Higgins Avenue and additional funder to the project. “That wall has been calling to us for decades. The icing on the cake is getting to meet and work with Madison in person. Thanks to the DMP team and Matt Muhsam for helping to get this done!”

In 2020, Matt Muhsam purchased Worden’s Market, a Downtown Missoula business staple since 1883, from Tim and Exie France. Muhsam stated he “feels fortunate to be part of a community where local, private support for public arts and culture is alive and well. Madison’s work is bold and amazing and will be a great addition to the corner of Higgins & Spruce. I am excited to enjoy it for years to come and give my thanks to the many hands that are making it happen.”

These projects are made possible in part due to generous gifts from local donors. Missoulians interested in supporting the Arts & Culture Impact Grant program are encouraged to donate directly to the program online at donations.missouladowntown.com.

For more information about the Missoula Downtown Foundation’s grant program, visit missouladowntown.com/missoula-downtown-foundation/grant/ or reach out to the Downtown team via phone (406) 543-4238 or email [email protected].