Alpine and Cokeville officials are in the process of creating murals in their communities with funds received through the grant offered by the State of Wyoming in celebration of the Semiquincentennial of the United States. The grant is being awarded to communities that plan to create a special project in honor of the nation’s 250th birthday.
In partnership with the Star Valley Arts Council, Cokeville called for artists to create a mural for the side of their City Hall and received applications for that $18,000 commission. Officials are expected to announce an artist next week.
“I have to admit that we are so jealous of the mural that they did in the Town of Thayne that we’re trying to figure out a way to replicate it,” said Mayor Eric Green of Alpine. Though Alpine has no large building that would be suitable for a mural, officials have found a solution.
Alpine’s mural is slated to hang on the fence that surrounds the Lower Valley Energy substation on the southwest side of town. Plans for this mural include multiple digital designs that will be printed on canvas material and mounted to the fence around the power station.
“It’s quite a big fence,” said Lxi Weber, Executive Director of the arts council. “They are looking for four different artists, all using the same color pallet, which we are providing.” Artists are invited to submit designs, and officials “will compile those images and make a mural-type image.” This will provide “something visually interesting to look at rather than the power station.”
The Town is offering $2,500 to each of the four chosen artists. All information about the application process and what officials hope to see in the designs can be found at StarValleyArts.org.
“We are looking for artisans to design something in conjunction with the 250th anniversary,” said Green. “I would think something very patriotic would go over very well.”
Additionally, Alpine is seeking artists to design a coin facing. The designer will receive $250 for the creation of a digital image that will be 3D printed as a coin. Application for the coin competition is also open at StarValleyArts.org.
