DRAW Project Celebration: Mon., Oct. 13 at 11:30 AM
DRAW PROJECT CELEBRATION: MON., OCT. 13 AT 11:30AM
Following five years of planning and fundraising, the massive Downtown Riverside Art Walls (DRAW) Project Phase 1 has been completed and will be celebrated on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025 in conjunction with Indigenous Peoples’ Day and the 3rd annual Missoula Powwow in Caras Park. The DRAW Project Celebration will take place on Pattee Street, adjacent to the NorthWestern Energy power substation, from 11:30am-12:30pm and will include individuals who brought this project to life.
One of the major goals of the North Riverside Parks & Trails Plan, adopted in 2020, the DRAW project beautifies the NorthWestern Energy electrical substation by enveloping it with artwork by contemporary Native American artists from Montana, showcasing drawings, paintings, and poetry. The project provides free, accessible, and historical art for all.
The East wall mural presents a homage to buffalo by three Salish artists. A poem by Vic Charlo, (translated into Salish by his daughter April Charlo) offers a prayer for the buffalo’s longevity, hinting at how these revered animals are physically and spiritually essential to the survival of his people. Debra Magpie Earling’s voice raises a powerful invitation to dance, to join the buffalo in a celebratory stampede across the land, marking the fulfilled promise of their return. These voices are complemented by the stylized artwork of Frank Finley, whose “Buffalo Charge” print is woven behind and through the text. The other walls of the 4,700 square-foot project will be completed next spring.
The DRAW Project is funded mostly by private donations, thanks to the Missoula Downtown Foundation’s service as the fiscal sponsor. Donors include Art Associates of Missoula, Blackfoot Communications, Destination Missoula and the Tourism BID, the Downtown BID, Holiday Inn Downtown, Kembel, Kosena & Co., Lambert Hotels, LMG Security, the Max & Betty Swanson Foundation, the Missoula Parking Commission, Missoula Parks & Recreation, Poteet Construction, Stockman Bank, Sippy Family Foundation, Wayne Boeck, and many more.
“It’s taken a long time to get to this point,” said Karen Sippy, volunteer project manager, “but the process makes the end results even more exciting! We are grateful for the opportunity to really showcase our indigenous population and the amazing artwork and poetry they have created. This project came to life because of the generosity of our Missoula community members. We are excited to celebrate the first phase this month and will complete the project in 2026.”
Highlights for the Oct. 13 celebration include readings by Magpie Earling, Vic Charlo, and April Charlo. Project Manager Karen Sippy, Creative Director Lisa Simon, and Missoula Parks & Recreation Director Donna Gaukler will also speak.
For more information on the project, visit the Downtown DRAW Project. To schedule interviews, contact the Downtown Missoula Partnership at 406-543-4238.