MISSOULA, Mont. — A major public art project is underway in downtown Missoula. The Downtown North Riverside Art Walls (DRAW) Project will transform 4,700 square feet of concrete walls around the Northwestern Energy substation on South Pattee Street with murals by Indigenous artists, writers, and language keepers.
The murals will feature large linocut prints by Salish artist Frank Finley, including images of a bison, magpie, and fish. The east-facing wall will include original writing by Debra Magpie Earling, a poem in English by Vic Charlo, and its Salish translation by his daughter, April Charlo.
The north wall, facing the Bank Street parking lot, will include Ledger Art honoring the area’s Indigenous history. Eleven Indigenous artists, many from Montana, are contributing to the project.
The DRAW Project has been in development since the substation walls were proposed six years ago. Local leaders saw an opportunity to bring public art into the North Riverside Parks and Trails area.
“When we found out we were doing this project, I contacted Lisa Simon at Radius Gallery. She had been dreaming of a big Indigenous mural downtown,” said Project Manager Karen Sippy.
Poteet Construction began installing the murals this week and is donating their work. The project will be completed in four phases, with most work finished by the end of 2025. A full public unveiling is planned for spring 2026.
The DRAW Project supports the Missoula Downtown Master Plan (MDMP) and the Missoula Downtown Heritage Interpretive Plan (MDHIP). These plans recommend showcasing Native culture, preserving heritage, and preventing cultural displacement. They also encourage large public art pieces to enhance the character of downtown Missoula.
Murals like those in the DRAW Project also deter graffiti and vandalism. Unlike blank walls, painted walls tend to stay clean and attract positive attention.
The site sits near Caras Park, the Clark Fork River Market, and several downtown hotels and businesses. With more than 1,000 nearby parking spaces and nearly one million visitors each year, this location is a key part of the city’s public space network.
The project budget is $95,000, with $74,500 raised as of June 2024. All funds go directly to paying artists and poets, purchasing materials, and covering installation costs.
Supporters include: Sippy Family Foundation, Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown, Missoula Parks and Recreation, Missoula Parking Commission, Stockman Bank, Downtown Business Improvement District, Max & Betty Swanson Foundation, Blackfoot Communications, Megan Kosena, Kevin Head with Rhinoceros Bar.
The phase 1 unveiling will take place on October 13 at 11:30 AM during the Indigenous Peoples Day Powwow at Caras Park. The community is invited to attend and support this effort to honor Indigenous art, language, and history in downtown Missoula.
To contribute or learn more, please contact the project team or visit their project page at Missoula Downtown.
