[MCN] News Alert // Missoula Downtown Foundation Launches Downtown Mural Project

[Bram Moore]

June 5, 2024

Local Media


*Learn more
at: https://www.missouladowntown.com/2024/06/03/missoula-downtown-foundation-launches-downtown-mural-project-in-partnership-with-sandy-mitchell-and-local-artist-lillian-nelson/
<https://www.missouladowntown.com/2024/06/03/missoula-downtown-foundation-launches-downtown-mural-project-in-partnership-with-sandy-mitchell-and-local-artist-lillian-nelson/>*






*MISSOULA DOWNTOWN FOUNDATION LAUNCHES DOWNTOWN MURAL PROJECT IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH SANDY MITCHELL AND LOCAL ARTIST LILLIAN NELSON*



For the second year in a row, with a focus on arts and culture and a desire
to activate alleys, the Missoula Downtown Foundation has partnered with
Missoula Artist Lillian Nelson and downtown property owner Sandy Mitchell
to create a large art mural on the Dorothy Building at 131 W Alder Street.



Funded by the Foundation’s Arts & Culture Impact Grants program, the *Dorothy
Dragon *mural will span over 115 feet in length, 28 feet in high, meander
through 19 windows and breathe fire up a chimney that has historically kept
residents warm inside the Dorothy apartment building for the past century.
Artist Lillian Nelson noted in her application that the building is
“unique, yet a little rough right now, so a big, sparkling dragon would
give it a much needed facelift.”



Nelson is a Montana native and 2007 fine arts graduate of the University of
Montana. She is an experienced local artist with prior works displayed
across town on multiple traffic signal boxes, on dumpster wraps behind the
Confluence Center, and upon the 113 foot mural at the Van Buren Street
underpass.



“It feels amazing to use the momentum from last year’s projects and offer
yet another art landmark to the Missoula community,” said Travis Neil,
President of the Missoula Downtown Foundation. “Coming together with
property owners to create lasting pieces of art in the heart of our
community has been highly rewarding for our board and staff. Missoulians
and tourists both will be able to watch the *Dorothy Dragon *come to life
throughout the summer and witness what local partnerships can accomplish.”



Artist Lillian Nelson will begin work on the project this week and will
look to complete the piece by August 31. The adjacent sidewalks at 131 W
Alder Street will be closed intermittently throughout the summer to allow
the artist to work.



“I am excited to add much needed color to the building and bring new life
into the residential block,” said artist Lillian Nelson. “This project
could potentially be one of Missoula’s biggest and most colorful murals!
Contributing to the arts scene in Missoula has been a focus of mine for a
long time and the opportunity to produce this mural feels like one of the
most substantial projects of my career.”



The Arts & Culture Impact Grants 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 be funding two
projects this year, with a second piece to begin at 218 E Main



“It feels great to support this project with the Foundation,” said Sandy
Mitchell, owner of the Dorothy Building. “I see the dragon as becoming a
lasting legacy that I can give back to the Missoula community. What was
simply a thought or pipe dream of mine last winter has now become a reality
thanks to the expertise and imagination of Lillian. I can’t wait to watch
the project evolve this summer!”



These projects are made possible in part due to generous gifts from
Missoula Downtown Foundation donors. Folks interested in supporting the
Arts & Culture Impact Grants Program are encouraged to donate online at
donations.missouladowntown.com.



For more information about the Missoula Downtown Foundation, visit
missouladowntown.com/missoula-downtown-foundation/
<https://www.missouladowntown.com/missoula-downtown-foundation/> or reach
out to the staff via phone (406-543-4238) or email (
info at missouladowntown.com).





*Bram Moore*

*Operations Coordinator*

Downtown Missoula Partnership

218 E Main | Missoula, MT

406.543.4238 | missouladowntown.com <http://www.missouladowntown.com/>


<http://www.missouladowntown.com/>
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