Spotted dogs, tall dogs, short dogs, fluffy dogs, even cow dogs came to the recent ribbon cutting for “It’s a Dog’s World,” the newest art mural in Polson.  

Painted on the west wall of the Barking Lot, 11 Third Ave. E., the bright mural showcases dogs on adventures that mural design creator Vicky Poole could imagine taking place in and around Flathead Lake, such as fishing, enjoying a campfire, skydiving, flying a plane or driving a jeep. 

The wall was brick and had been sealed, but posed a challenged to the artist.

“I allowed [the texture] to create some of the mural,” Poole said.  

“It’s kind of a crayon stroke,” she explained, since using a crayon makes a swath of color that varies in shade. 

Poole, who is originally from Cleveland but moved to Polson seven years ago, had worked with Mary Stillman on massive mall murals in Ohio. Now “looking for a way to jump start art back into her life,” Poole thought it would be great to have Stillman paint on the mural and meet other local artists. The Pooles flew Stillman out to collaborate with the Polson-based artists.

Poole and Alisa Reed, Polson’s recreation coordinator, cut the ribbon. Reed helped shepherd the mural project through the city’s regulations. Charlie Fudge, an artist from the Sandpiper Gallery and Gifts, emceed the event. 

“This is a small-town story,” Fudge said, talking about how the mural idea was hatched 

Brenda and Lance Grogan, who own The Barking Lot, shared a table with Fudge at the Polson Fairgrounds Inc. Cowboy Ball. Fudge’s neighbors took their dogs to the Barking Lot for grooming so that’s how the conversation began. 

Brenda Grogan had heard about Art4Polson, which is dedicated to enhancing Polson through art, fostering vibrant public displays, community outreach, student engagement and a celebration of indigenous art. She talked with Fudge about Art4Polson and then asked about featuring dogs on a mural, and Fudge mentioned he was on the Sandpiper Board.  

“I have the perfect spot,” Grogan said, “and lots of people walk by it every day.”  

So, the Sandpiper board and Grogan met and a dog theme was chosen. Grogan asked if the Barking Lot dogs could be models since she and her assistant groomer Libby bring a dog or two each day to hang out in the groomery.   

Now Tater Tot and Jo Jo (Brenda’s pups) are immortalized on the mural along with Libby’s Labrador, who is depicted skydiving. Even the Barking Lot’s parrot, a Goffin cockatoo, is on the mural. 

Preparations for the ribbon cutting were dog-oriented. Doggie refreshments were pup cups topped with a hot dog slice. The  Barking Lot crew cut matching blue bandanas of different sizes for all the canine attendees. 

Organizers encouraged people to bring their dog for a picture, Grogan said. More than 25 people came for the ribbon cutting, and most brought at least one pooch.  

There was some barking, but mostly lots of sniffing and tail wagging as Polson’s pups got to know each other at a pup cup party to celebrate the new mural.

    Vicky Poole, who designed the mural, and Alisa Reed, Polson recreation director, cut the ribbon officially opening "It's A Dog's World" mural (Berl Tiskus/Leader)