Downtown Provo’s monthly mural program highlights local artists

The Downtown Provo monthly mural program bridges the gap between local art and local businesses, providing the spotlight to talented artists like aspiring mural artist Laura Hendricks.

Quinn Peterson is the executive director of Downtown Provo Inc., a nonprofit group committed to making downtown a fun and fun place to visit. According to Peterson, Downtown Provo Inc. is responsible for the Provo Art Stroll, an event held every first Friday of the month where companies display artists and artwork for community members.

Downtown Provo Inc. is also responsible for the downtown Provo monthly murals program, which selects artists each month to decorate the walls of local businesses.

“We’ve done 31 (murals) now,” said Peterson. “Our goal is to have the mural of the month ready by the first Friday of each month. We put the mural on the map as one of the (Art Stroll) stops so people can see the mural and meet the artist. “

According to Peterson, there is no shortage of artists interested in painting murals downtown.

“The hardest part is finding the artist and model that goes down with the various owners,” said Peterson. This is because the property owners are the ones who have to make the decision as to which mural to put on their building.

But it’s not just about art for art’s sake.

Working to strengthen the downtown industry, Peterson said the Mural-a-Month program is directly related to that goal. Peterson said that much of traditional retail space has been consumed by online shopping over the past 20 years, and the answer to this transition from traditional to digital has been the emphasis on experience design.

“You have to create an experience when you have customers. And part of the experience and environment we’re trying to create is all of the murals, ”said Peterson.

Colby Sanford painted the newest mural in downtown Provo in October. Located at the intersection of Freedom Boulevard and University Avenue, this artwork was completed in time for Art Stroll on October 1st. (Melissa Collado)

The September mural, completed in time for Art Stroll on October 1st, is located at the intersection of Freedom Boulevard and Center Street and was executed by artist Colby Sanford. This month’s post will be from Hendricks, a Las Vegas native and Provo resident.

Hendricks’ works range from landscape photography to mixed media and collages. She said this diverse background will help her with this upcoming mural project.

“This is really my fourth mural. Although I started out as a photographer, it has worked for all of these different media. I feel like my murals have really similar elements to my other work, ”said Hendricks.

Laura Hendricks’ use of illusion and perspective can be seen in the mural she created for the Harrington Center for the Arts in 2020. Hendricks’ distinctive style will be reflected in their upcoming mural in downtown Provo. (Art / Photo by Laura Hendricks)Pictured above is Laura Hendricks’ mixed media painting and photography work from 2021. (art / photo by Laura Hendricks)

Hendricks’ mural, which will be part of The Wick Lab building on North University Avenue, is expected to be ready by November 5th. The plans for the mural include 3D visual elements as well as a sky motif, which Hendricks says is a common subject of her work, especially her photography.

“I do a lot of perspective and illusion work. This mural, which I’m doing specifically for downtown Provo, will be very illusion and perspective based, ”said Hendricks. “I’m really excited. I’m excited to do it. “

Participation in the monthly mural program is a long-term goal for Hendricks.

“I love this program and I love downtown. We are quite involved in the arts scene in downtown Provo in particular – we had our studio there for several years. I’ve wanted to do it pretty much since the monthly murals program started, and I felt it was the time, ”said Hendricks.

To learn more about the Art Stroll, the monthly mural program, or other events in downtown Provo, readers can visit Downtown Provo’s website or Instagram @durbanprovo.

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