Sandpiper seeks input on upcoming murals

Sandpiper Art Gallery & Gifts is inviting the Polson community to provide input on a theme for upcoming Art Murals in downtown Polson, set for 2026.

So far the gallery has added to the city's public art scene with an art mural, “By the River,” in Sacajawea Park; custom art designs adorning traffic boxes located around Polson; and  engagement with local artists, from youth at the Ronan & Polson Boys & Girls Clubs and art students in Polson schools, to college art students at Salish Kootenai College and artists of all ages around Polson and Lake County.

Now, the gallery members want to know what mural themes the public would like to see in downtown Polson? (choose the top three):

• Area History: original inhabitants Salish Kootenai/Pend O’ tribes, fur traders, reservation history/life, farm/ranching/orchard settlers, famous people, etc.;

• Domestic and Wild Animals such as cattle, sheep, deer, bear, horses, bison, elk and bald eagles;'

• Scenery: wildflowers, mountains, sunsets, lakes, rivers, the Big Sky;

• Flathead Lake: history of lake, glacial origins, Kerr Dam construction/management, Indigenous and European history, steamboat and logging use, fish species, water quality;

• Activities and Lifestyles: boating, swimming, hiking, camping, birdwatching, bicycling, rafting, fishing, hunting, horseback riding.

To share your thoughts, rank your top three choices from the five theme options provided and email your selections to sandpiperartgallery306@gmail.com. Input on a mural theme should be submitted by May 15, 2025.

Once a mural theme is selected, Art4Polson, a public art campaign of Sandpiper Art Gallery & Gifts, will collaborate with the City of Polson for city requirements and approvals. Downtown property owners will be invited to have an art mural painted on their buildings – at no cost to them.

Sandpiper Art Gallery & Gifts will coordinate the entire project with the help of local volunteers, with the first five murals designed and painted in summer 2026.

Funding for the gallery's completed public art projects has been graciously provided by private donors, the Greater Polson Community Foundation and the Lower Flathead Valley Community Foundation. Continued community participation and support of upcoming Public Art projects is encouraged through gifts of monetary donations, grants, needed supplies, artist talent and volunteer help. 

“These murals and other public art around Polson will definitely put Polson on the map as a place to enjoy its rich cultural & historical landscape,” according to Natalie Raffield, Art4Polson Project Coordinator. 

Several projects for this summer are planned and in the beginning stages of their creation, so stay tuned for updates, public art calls, and requests for participation and help.

More information is available on the Sandpiper's website under 2025 Public Art Projects at www.sandpiperartgalleryandgifts.com/publicartprojects. For additional information, contact Natalie Raffield at 303-945-6325 or nraffield@gmail.com.

Let’s enhance Polson with beautiful public art—your voice matters!