Draw Project Phase 1: Installation to Take Place Sept. 22-26
DRAW PROJECT PHASE 1 INSTALLATION TO TAKE PLACE SEPT. 22-26
The Downtown Riverside Art Walls (DRAW) Project will commence the first phase of art installation on the NorthWestern Energy’s Downtown power substation on Pattee Street. Poteet Construction will be on-site for the duration of the week to hang Salish artwork and poetry on the east wall.
The east-facing wall will showcase an enlarged linocut print, “Bison Running” by Salish artist Frank Finley. Original text by Debra Magpie Earling, original poetry written in English by Vic Charlo, and a Salish translation by April Charlo will be the highlights of the east wall. When completed, the DRAW project will cover 4,700 square feet of concrete walls surrounding the recently updated substation with Montana Indigenous visual and language art murals. The south, west, and north walls will be installed later this year and early 2026.
The “Big Art” installation will come to life, thanks to a group of Downtown advocates and volunteers committed to showcasing Indigenous Art for the public. Karen Sippy, Mirtha Becerra, and Lisa Simon began work on this project in 2023, alongside NorthWestern Energy, Missoula Parks & Recreation, and the Missoula Downtown Foundation. The project has been guided by goals in the Downtown Master Plan and the North Riverside Parks & Trails Plan.
“We are very excited for this phase of the project to finally be here,” said Karen Sippy, lead project manager and board member for the Downtown Business Improvement. “While this project has taken more time and resources than we imagined, the outcome will be way more impactful in the long run.”
With fiscal sponsorship support from the Missoula Downtown Foundation and donations from more than 20 businesses, individuals, and organizations, over $115,0000 has been raised for the installation by the volunteer committee members. Costs include compensation for artists, authors, and poets, special art cloth mounted on MDO boards, permitting, printing, and installation.
The Missoula Downtown Foundation (MDF) is a public benefit corporation organized exclusively for the charitable and educational purposes of supporting and promoting activities such as the enhancement of arts and culture, livability, economy, safety, and infrastructure of the greater Downtown Missoula area.
“This project will have a lasting impact on our community, and it’s wonderful to see it come to life!” Donna Gaukler, Director of Missoula Parks & Recreation.“It will showcase some of our region’s most important artwork, highlight some of our historic stories, serve as a beautiful backdrop for our riverfront parks, and enhance the environment for the Clark Fork River Market. The big art will also serve as a primary highlight of Downtown, will reduce graffiti tagging around the substation, and bring a level of awe and respect to the highly visited riverfront parks system.”
The significance of highlighting the diversity of Indigenous people has been a focus of our community and its cultural institutions for a long time. A good portion of the project will showcase ledger art of historical significance and will highlight Indigenous artists, authors, and poets from Montana.
The month’s installation is Phase 1 of the larger project, and subsequent phases will be installed in 2026. It has taken about five years of planning, negotiating, contracting, fundraising, and preparing the printed fabric and boards for installation to get to this point. There will be a celebration of the completion of Phase 1 in October.
Figure 1:
DRAW East Wall Rendering
More information on the DRAW project can be found online at missouladowntown.com. Interviews with project leader Karen Sippy can be arranged by contacting the Downtown Missoula Partnership via phone (406-543-4238) or email ([email protected]).