Six murals completed by nonprofit Art in Polson

Murals continue to embellish buildings and businesses across Polson, courtesy of Art in Polson, a new nonprofit that’s replaced Art4Polson (which was under the auspices of the Sandpiper Gallery). According to director Natalie Raffield, the organization is solely dedicated to bringing more public art to the community.

This summer, Polson gained six new murals, many of them on Main Street, with funding from the Greater Polson Community Foundation and Lower Flathead Valley Community Foundation, as well art sales and private donors.  

According to the organization’s newsletter, “paints were chosen, volunteers gathered, artists selected, permits gained, ladders climbed and paint brushes dipped in bright colors.” As a result:

• “The Workroom” depicts artists and seamstresses at work on all kinds of artful creations on the back of handMADE Montana. Owner Carol Lynn Lapotka commissioned her graphic artist, Josh Quick, to design the mural, which was completed by a host of volunteers.

• Second Nature Gifts and Goods has large panels on its south side, portraying the four seasons in Montana and created by Raffield. The originals, depicting the Bison Range, McDonald Lake, Wild Horse Island and Glacier National Park, are for sale to raise money for 2027 murals (two have been sold).

• 1800 Water Damage of Western Montana now boasts five murals on its black building, designed and painted by Karla Martinson. Titled “The Secret Life of Black Bears in Montana,” the series showcases night scenes of an owl and raccoon and a bear with her playful cubs.

• Alexia Wilson, a recent high school graduate, designed and painted “Balanced” for the alley opposite the Barking Lot. The mural shows a giant sun and moon glowing on the lake with Flessie swimming by.

• “Basking Bears, Beers and Beavers” now adorns the entrance of The Perfect Shot Tavern. The beaver bartender resembles owner Dusty Kisler, while a sassy cougar looks a little like co-owner Mandy Kisler. Fun animal characters gather at their local watering hole, with a moose drinking some Human Drool (a play on Moose Drool beer). Much of the painting was executed by Jess Bouche.

• Vicky Poole designed and painted the “Polson Proud” mural on Hwy. 93, which shows the pups of the owners of the Flathead Signs and Graphics building, their favorite old truck and memorable places on Flathead Lake.

According to Raffield, Art in Polson is already gearing up for 2027 murals projects, which will include the Flathead Lake Museum, Lake City Bakery and The Durham.

Art that supports these projects is continuously for sale at Good Coffee, Blackfoot River Coffee, The Durham and Pure West Realty. For more information, visit www.artinpolson.com.

    Karla Martinson paints her murals, "The Secret Life of Black Bears" at 1800 Water Damage, with help from fellow artist and devoted volunteer Marge Christensen. (Courtesy photo)