According to Jeanette Oslund, MCA artist and Montrose City Assistant Director of Community Programs, “Art in public spaces – especially murals – promotes a sense of community identity.” Oslund discussed mural painting and the city’s DART (Development And Revitalization Team)-sponsored Mural Program at the 2nd Thursday Art Talk at MCA this month. She is comfortable doing “large art” – she has a piece in MCA’s Big Art Exhibit – but it was a first for her when she was asked to help paint one of the new murals in Downtown Montrose.
Public art adds vibrancy to a community, draws people’s attention and contributes value to a commercial area. Last year the city of Montrose added six new murals and more will be completed this year under DART’s special incentive program. Oslund is working on creating a “map” to show locations of the existing murals as well as the small sculptures located throughout downtown.
Jeanette Oslund does a “show and tell” on murals in Montrose (above).
