The first mural was commissioned on a city-owned building that long sat vacant. Occupying a wall approximately 126 feet long by 24 feet high, the mural by artist Valerie Doshier was reflective of our landscape.
Quickly following up on that mural, we rolled out our next project – the Art Underground Gallery. The Art Underground Gallery transformed a dark, uninspired pedestrian underpass into a lively art gallery with 25 original art pieces by local artists of all ages.
In the summer of 2016, we commissioned graffiti artist Ryan “ARCY” Christenson to complete a piece on the back of a building along 5th Street. Titled “Ambition Within,” the piece is hugely popular and brought a renewed interest in the arts to Rock Springs.
In the fall of 2016, we launched our first-ever KickStarter campaign to fund additional murals in downtown Rock Springs. Our initial goal was $7,500 and it was blown out of the water, raising nearly $20,000 – thanks in no small part to a match of $7,500 from Bruce and Carla Pivic.
More murals are added each summer to our community. We invite you to tour the murals and Art Underground Gallery as well as the public art and ghost signs that dot Downtown Rock Springs.
In the past, we’ve been successful in partnering with Wyoming Rents for required man-lifts and scaffolding to produce the murals. These partnerships have allowed us to utilize more funding for the artists themselves, rather than equipment rental. We’re confident we can continue these partnerships to ensure that the majority of funds raised help support artist and public art projects.
Completed in August 2016, Ambition Within features a young child depicted in the shadows of his heroes, symbolizing the freedom and opportunities that our great nation has in store for our future generations.
You’ll find this mural at the corner of 5th and J Streets.
Located at the corner of Elk and North Front Streets, this mural is based on a Wyoming animal landscape - prairie themed and giving a working together theme of the many nationalities in Rock Springs.
This wildlife scene uses the animals as representatives for a larger vision about working together and building a community. The artist has made every animal in this to have the coats and colors of the pronghorn.
The coyote draws tension and visual lines to the rabbit, while the bird sees all, and the rabbit glances down to the snake that the coyote does not see, creating a triangle and story to follow. The historic awning on the building was the center point to let the landscape build up and become almost a pillar that dictated the characters around it.
The Plateau is located on Pla Mor Lanes Bowling alley at 327 C Street
Uphill struggles to success will always be evident and a true artist will need to be prepared to face these struggles along the way. The Plateau explores an artist’s nature to recognize their goals but never become limited by their concerns. To plateau may be necessary for conceptualization, but just like large birds of prey, the artist must persevere with confidence in the endeavors of their art.
This small mural features many icons of Wyoming including the Bison, Indian Paintbrush and Western Meadowlark.
It's located on the west-facing wall of 701 2nd Street, across from Broadway Burger Station.
This mural was designed to showcase the history and surroundings of Rock Springs. Each letter features a different image from our are. The entire piece serves as a welcoming entrance to downtown. Over 20 youth volunteers helped paint the mural.
It is located at 701 2nd Street, across from Broadway Burger Station, facing Eastside Elementary Schoo.
Located at the corner of M and North Front Streets, this mural pays homage to our coal mining heritage. See if you can spot all of the hidden images in the background pattern - shovels, pickax, train car, Boar's Tusk, miner's hat, miner's lamp and railroad spike.
