CLARK FORK — It is, quite simply, a 960-square-foot love letter to Clark Fork and North Idaho.

Originally meant as a simple sign replacement, the mural was to be a simple update of the "Welcome to Clark Fork" sign on Russ and Pam Schenck's Lightning Creek, Inc. storage building.

"Little did we know we were about to greenlight a masterpiece," Russ Schenck said of the initial decision to commission a mural to replace the sign that once had its home on the building.

Featuring everything from the Idaho state seal and the U.S. flag to a 1930s-era postcard and postage stamps to kids fishing for the elusive Pend Oreille Paddler hiding in the depths of Lake Pend Oreille. There are hardy "river pigs," hardy loggers who maneuvered logs from the mountains to the mills on the area's rivers and lakes; the mysterious Wampus Cat — whose lore found a home as a mascot of the city's high school; and a menagerie of local wildlife — from fish, deer and bear to wolves, eagles and hawks.

"As the owner of Lightning Creek Inc. and mayor of Clark Fork, I couldn’t be prouder," Schenck said of the new mural. "For over 30 years, we’ve welcomed folks with a sign or mural on this highly visible spot along Highway 200. This one raises the bar — and brings a whole lot of joy, stories, and hometown pride to everyone who drives by."

Created by Claire Green, the mural was a multi-year process during which the local artist poured her heart into the project. It meant overcoming several obstacles — the building's corrugated metal would distort the mural, necessitating panels for a flatter canvas, and the right mix of paint was needed to stand up to the region's winter.

After exploring various options — from steel sheets to plastic printing — Green settled on MDO, a resin-infused plywood traditionally used for roadside signs. What followed was a lot of "stumbling uphill" with materials and methods and the Clark Fork artist carefully figured out a way to create the building-long mural, her first such endeavor.

Hand-painted in exterior acrylic latex house paint, the mixture is designed for maximum durability in the region's often-harsh Idaho climate.

"It’s thick, dries fast, and destroys brushes quickly,” Green said. “Each element required two to six coats."

She hand-mixed 10 different tones of gray to create bold light-dark contrasts that pop for drivers passing by in just a few seconds — perfect for a manga-style black-and-white comic look. 

"Full color would have ballooned the budget, so we kept it punchy and readable," Green said. "The American flag was painted separately in CMYK colors to give it the respect it deserves.”

An avid kayak angler, Green was dedicated to accuracy, catching the fish included in the mural personally. She was determined to include the region's rich history: including the ancient camas lily, a vital traditional food source tended for millennia by local Tribes; and tales of Coyote from regional Plateau stories.

It is that attention to the community and to the region's history that make the rural special, Schenck said. The Clark Fork mayor said credit goes to Green's tireless creativity, endless revisions and sheer determination; and to Bruce Wickboldt and his team at Sandpoint Builders who expertly installed the mural's many panels.

"This was truly a community effort and it shows," Schenck said.

While the mural's installation took place this spring, it has its genesis in a conversation between Cheryl Meadows and the Schencks. Meadows reached out to the couple in December 2022 with what Schenck said was an intriguing proposition: Would they be interested in talking to an artist friend about replacing the "Welcome to Clark Fork" sign on the couple's Lightning Creek, Inc. storage building.

It wasn't long after that conversation that the Schencks emailed Green, the artist mentioned by their friend. Green quickly responded with samples of her work.

The couple, Russ Schenck said, was sold.

"One look at that talent and we were hooked — we decided right then to commission her for a full-blown mural that would honor the entire Clark Fork Valley community," he said. "Pro tip: When an artist this good gets excited, just say yes."

Roughly a week later, the trio met at the Schencks' home. Bursting with ideas, Schenck said Green hesitantly asked how much of the building's surface she could use for the mural.

All of it, she was told. Green was thrilled.

The first designs arrived by late January 2023 as ideas for the mural took shape: a "kinetic stampede" of cougar, deer and elk as birds wove through the scene. Schenck  said osprey made the list as did the elusive Pend Oreille Paddler, pictured in a playful "wanted poster" vibe; the mysterious wampus cat, and the Idaho state seal.

The first drawings arrived in late April, followed by additional refinements as the vision drew into sharper focus. By June, Green had finalized the wood panel specifications and was working on the paint needed.

Prepping the panels proved a complex process of cutting, priming, sealing, sanding and re-priming. Over the next year, Green painstakingly worked on the panels and by early May 2025, the first set of panels were ready for installation.

"Positive buzz was rolling in from the community and passersby," Schenck said. "Everyone was excited to watch it grow. It feels good when your 'Welcome to Clark Fork' upgrade starts delivering smiles on Highway 200."

By fall, more panels had been installed and the still-in-the-works mural was attracting fans and attention.

"Horns honked, waves flew and people slowed down to chat," Schenck said. "Claire loved hearing their stories and how the scenes connected to their lives in Clark Fork."

By December 2025, the final panels were in the shop waiting for the paint to dry. Weather prevented an early installation and Schenk said it wasn't until April 24, 2026, that the final panels were installed.

After four years, 160 feet of vibrant mural now graces the highway-facing wall of the Schencks' storage building.

"If you’re passing through Clark Fork on Highway 200, slow down and take it in, or better yet, stop and take a close look," Schenck said. "I guarantee you will see more than the drive-by version. It’s been a long road — four years long — but worth every mile."

    Clark Fork Mayor Russ Schenck poses with artist Claire Green in front of the recently completed "Welcome to Clark Fork" mural on the Lightning Creek, Inc. storage building.
  

    Clark Fork Mayor Russ Schenck poses with artist Claire Green in front of the recently completed "Welcome to Clark Fork" mural on the Lightning Creek, Inc. storage building.      A scene from the "Welcome to Clark Fork" mural.
  

    A scene from the "Welcome to Clark Fork" mural.
  

    A scene from the "Welcome to Clark Fork" mural.
  

    A scene from the "Welcome to Clark Fork" mural.
  

    A scene from the "Welcome to Clark Fork" mural.
  

    A scene from the "Welcome to Clark Fork" mural.
  

    A scene from the "Welcome to Clark Fork" mural.
  

    A scene from the "Welcome to Clark Fork" mural.
  

    A scene from the "Welcome to Clark Fork" mural.
  

    A scene from the "Welcome to Clark Fork" mural.
  

    A scene from the "Welcome to Clark Fork" mural.
  

    A scene from the "Welcome to Clark Fork" mural.
  

    A scene from the "Welcome to Clark Fork" mural.
  

    A scene from the "Welcome to Clark Fork" mural.