Local resident and artist Kate Kilpatrick-Miller visited the members of the Helper City Council recently to speak for a number of artists that have been working to create murals throughout the city. Lita Riley and Ashley Hardy collectively approached Kilpatrick-Miller to request that she assist them with this project.
The mural society is a group that would like to get more artists involved and invite artists from outside the area to also create murals and art. Kilpatrick-Miller stated that the purpose is to move foot traffic around the city, pulling them up and down Main Street and over to the river and historic areas.
The first space that has been chosen for a mural is the pavilion on 100 West on the east-facing wall. The theme for this particular mural will be around the Castle Gate Robbery “Wanted Dead or Alive.” Kilpatrick-Miller stated that it will be an interactive mural in that people will be able to stand as if they were the one featured on the wanted poster in one area; the other area will feature Castle Gate itself.
Kilpatrick-Miller assured that the construction of the mural will begin as soon as the weather begins the warm up. She is expecting this to take place within a month or so and also stated that while visiting with the council members, other ideas of murals and areas were discussed. Meeting with the council members ensures approval for the design and creation as well as the location before work begins.
At this time, there isn’t a set number of murals and other pieces of art that are going to be arranged throughout the city. Helper Middle School was also approached for possible work. Each year during the city’s Film, Music and Arts Festival, the students of the middle school paint inside the underpass. However, this year the students are looking for an area where their art will reach a wider audience. A specific area has not been targeted thus far.
A number of individuals have already stepped forward, requesting to be a part of this project including Anthony Cilli and Chad Guerrero. Kilpatrick-Miller stressed that it is not necessary to be an artist to get involved and assist. Mayor Lenise Peterman expressed her excitement over the ongoing improvement to the community.
“I think it would be super to create a pedestrian-friendly environment and interactive murals would be a wonderful way to move people up and down Main Street and engage the community,” Peterman said.