Local Art
The following is a list of public art in the Missoula area. While some works of art have been commissioned by government entities or the Public Art Committee, other works are privately-owned but still are able to be viewed by the public.

Anything's Possible Mural Wordon and Phillips, Headstart building in old Whittier School Mural by residents of Missoula Youth Homes painted on the brick wall of the school, 1997. It is a product of making art making change. Sponsored by UM's Museum of Fine Arts.
Bank Street Footprints
Bicycles at Caras
Brennan's Wave Higgins St. Bridge Named after world-class Missoula kayaker Brennan Guth, who died in Chile in 2001 pursuing his sport and passion. Sculpture, viewing and platform, and a whitewater feature in the Clark Fork River.
Butterfly Cocooning Toole Park Sculpture northeast of the Missoulian building on the south side of the Clark Fork River in Toole Park. Created by environmental artist Lynne Hull in 1993, it is a cribbed log sculpture in the shape of a butterfly, filled with bark, sticks, leaves, and other materials. It is adjacent to a perennial garden planted with species attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.
Cattin' Around* W. Main and Ryman Sculpture adorning Central Park parking garage in the 100 block of W. Main St. Mike Hollern created this whimsical, ferrous cement depiction of a sprawled alley cat in 1991. Cattin' Around features a small puddle of water on the cat's back to create a birdbath.
Chainsaurus 324 W. Alder Sculpture located in the front yard of a dinosaur constructed of chains and carrying a mailbox. Paul Golden created this sculpture in 1988.
Crossings* N. Higgins Sculpture located in front of the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot at the north end of Higgins Ave. Consisting of four large red x's, the sculpture is made of enamel on metal with concrete wing wall and platform set on a stone ballast. It represents railroad themes. Created by Taag Peterson in 1986, the x's relate to the tall trestles necessary for crossing mountain ravines.
Downtown Flower Baskets Designed by local artist Russell Smith, the Downtown Flower Baskets were created in two batches and hung in 1981 and 1985. Each of the 72 baskets are individually designed and crafted with a theme of their own. The Missoula Downtown Association hangs and waters the flowers throughout the summer months.
Dragon Hollow 101 Carousel Dr. Dragon Hollow is a magical play land adjacent to A Carousel for Missoula. The play land was the combined effort of artists and consultants from Leather's and Associates, Inc.
Dreaming Missoula Clark Fork Natural Park, south side of the Clark Ford River, near the Orange St. Bridge Sculpture created in 1994 by Lynne Hull and Kioko Mwitki, a native of Kenya. Hull sculpted the wood elements and Mwitki fabricated the metal components that suggest the wildlife to be seen in the area.
E. S. Paxson Murals County Courthouse Located inside the Missoula County Courthouse at 200 W. Broadway. Created between 1912 and 1914, these historical scenes were painted on canvas with oils.
First Night Tiles Grand and First First Night Tile Project on the north side / west side Pedestrian Bridge near the Grand and First St. intersection. Created by children and adults who participated in the First Night Missoula Public Tile Project on New Year's Eve 1999, the theme features animals of all types.
First Night Tiles Uptown Apartments First Night Tile Project located outside the Uptown Apartments. Created by children and adults who participated in the First Night Missoula Public Tile Project on New Year's Eve 2001 and 2002.
Heart of Missoula* 111 W. Broadway Completed in December 2005, these sepia-toned historic paintings depict downtown Missoula of ages past. Painted by Hadley Ferguson on seven concrete panels, they were then attached to the wall to fill the 20' tall by 120' long space on the side of the Allegra Print and Imaging building.
Heart Institutes Wall of 100 Hearts St. Patrick Hospital, 500 W. Broadway These heartfelt mosaics were made by the sixth grade classes of Washington Middle School, 2002. As inspiration for the patients, each heart was created by an individual student. Teachers Joni McNeil and Mary Gillhouse coordinated with art direction from Jayne Piazza.
Living the Possibility Corner Shakespeare and Phillips, back of Lowell School Student mural, © 1995.
John Mullan N. Higgins Marble structure located in the plaza at the end of N. Higgins Ave. in front of the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot. Created in 1914 and one of just six sculptures remaining, this structure was erected to mark the route of the wagon road surveyed and built by John Mullan from Fort Benton to Fort Walla Walla on the Columbia River.
MCFD Murals* 625 E. Pine On the west side of the Missoula City Fire Station headquarters, at the corner of East Pine and Madison. Rudy Autio created this very colorful work, seven feet wide and eighteen feet tall with scenes relating to firefighting history, completed in 1995. A group representing the neighborhood, the Fire Department, and the Public Art Committee chose him from among the other contestants. A bell honoring Benjamin Franklin, father of the volunteer firefighting tradition, tops the historic theme of firefighting symbols and historical paraphernalia.
Missoula Mosaic Missoula Airport Mosaics were created as a collaboration with public and private school classes ranging from kindergarten to high school seniors with historical references from the Historic Museum at the Fort, 2000. Coordinated by teachers Joni McNeil and Mary Gillhouse, with art direction from Jayne Piazza.
Mosaic Gaming Tables Ronald McDonald House, 3003 Fort Missoula Rd. Two gaming tables were created by the sixth grade classes of Washington Middle School, 2006. Coordinated by teachers Joni McNeil and Alan McAtee, with art direction from Jayne Piazza.
Mountain Line Transfer Center Mural Between the Missoula County Courthouse and City Hall 200 tiles decorated with animals, flowers, and other symbols to represent the natural heritage of Montana. Created in April 2000 by Missoula County Public School students with the help of their art instructors Katherine Lynch, Jackie Alford, Carla Getz, Susanne Woyciechowicz, and local artist Dana Boussard.
Mountain Waters* This design by James Todd on the exterior of the Currents Aquatic Center at McCormick Park is a percent for art project. The City of Missoula Public Art Committee commissioned Missoula artist James Todd to create a design to be sandblasted on the exterior of the Currents Aquatic Center. Todd's "Mountain Waters" design features motifs of Northwestern wildlife amidst cascading waters. The design was sandblasted by Nash Enterprises Inc. of Missoula.
Muffler Cowboy 1935 Brooks, Muffler Bandit Created by Rory Stone, © 1985.
My Protector 700 City Dr., Greenough Park A five-foot tall black painted metal figure with sword and war mask, © 1972, sculptor unknown. Has been damaged in the past by attempts to steal it. Now reinforced and set in concrete.
Over the Top 5705 Grant Creek Rd. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. A bulging seven-point bull elk sculpture donated by artist Danny D. Edwards in 1994. It is finished in a variety of patinas and sits on a brick base.
Peace Works 519 S. Higgins Created by area high school students Peter Bradstock, Sarah Jackson, Amanda Keeland, Brittany Kirkland, Sarah Logan, Yuki Sugimoto, and Tara Westle with artist Amie Thurber in the summer of 2000. A mural celebrating diversity with a colorful, festive atmosphere, Peace Works is located at the rear entrance of the Jeanette Rankin Peace Center.
Propper Shoppers* Mountain Line Transfer Center Installed in 2002, the solid bronze sculpture of a stylized grandmother and her favorite grandchild was created by Missoula artist Tom Rippon, a ceramics professor at UM.
Rattlesnake Graveyard Memorial Off Rattlesnake Dr., East Mountain View Rd. Created by Suzanne Wojciechowicz and students in 1992. Concrete arch with 10 welded steel masks. Part of the inscription reads, "...dedicated to all the people buried on this land. People from different cultures lived on "The Poor Farm" located near here from 1888 to 1930. After their deaths they were buried, but over the years their grave markers have disappeared..."
Returnings* Higgins Bridge Sculpture on the east side of the Higgins St. Bridge, just north of the Clark Fork River. Take the stairs down to the park to view these three nine-foot long forged and welded steel fish twisting among the boulders. Created by Jeffrey Funk in 1989, they are a favorite with children.
Roscoe 5404 Momont (north of Missoula, opposite entrance to the airport) Roscoe Steel and Culvert Co. A well-defined, welded steel figure wearing a hard hat, carrying pieces of I-bean and culvert, and in a hurry. Created by sculptor Lyndon Pomeroy in 1971. The piece is very similar to "Speedy", also created by Pomeroy for the Roscoe Steel Company's Billings plant.
Royal Challenge 5705 Grant Creek Rd. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. A six-point elk struggles with a seven-point in a cast bronze sculpture by T.D. Kelsey, © 1991.
Scenic Mural 617 S. Higgins Mural on the north wall of the Boys and Girls Club / Higgins Hall near the Holiday Gas Station at the southwest corner of S. Higgins and Fourth. The Mural features a giant bald eagle, mountain peaks, and a flowing stream. It is said to have been designed by an artist and painted by children.
Scenic Mural 322 N. Higgins Mural on the east side of the Army Navy Economy Store. A painting of scenic mountains and rivers created by John Carlon in 1996.
Stoney's Bull Intersection highways 200 and 83, Clearwater Junction in Greenough A large fiberglass depiction of a bull created by D.O.A., Inc. in 1968. He is subject to frequent vandalism.
Stories from Lewis and Clark Expedition Lewis and Clark School Library, 2901 Park Experiencing life from the expedition through storytellers, over 430 children took part in writing and recording four ballads, paper mosaics, and a border of interpretive signs. Completed in 2002 with art direction from Jayne Piazza.
Stringed Instrument Division Mural 123 West Alder Seen from the alley between Alder and Spruce, this mural was painted by Barbara Morrison in 1996. The Stringed Instrument Division store, which features musical instruments, has since moved.
Studebaker* 216 W. Main Mural on the side of the Studebaker Building at 216 W. Main St. Created by noted local artist Stan Hughes in 2000, the work pays tribute to the historical background of the Studebaker Building and the heart of the Gasoline Alley historic area, which evolved on W. Main St. in the early 1900s.
The Wave* This 100' long sculpture doubles as a bicycle rack for Splash Montana. A series of 25 pipe forms, which are powder-coated a brilliant water blue, increase in height from 3' to 10', forming a wave shape. Local artist Justin Anthony completed this Missoula Public Art Committee percent for art project in 2007.
Traffic Signal Boxes The Traffic Signal Box Art Project was designed to enhance Missoula by adding works of art to streetscape on surfaces that are often targeted by graffiti vandals.  The goal of the project is use local traffic signal boxes as "canvases".  It enhanced the visual surroundings as well as provided a deterrent to damage and graffiti.
Trail Markers
Tube Sculpture at Fort Missoula Russell Smith created this four-foot diameter curved cylinder that has been a favorite with children since 1982. The walls feature a light decorative tracery of cutout design.
Untitled Mural 130 W. Broadway Mural on the west side of the Salad Bar and Sandwich Co. John Carlon painted this scenic view of Montana in 1996.
Untitled Mural 337 N. Higgins Mural on the north and east sides, second story, of the Oxford . John Carlon painted these figures in 1997 on Plexiglas to fill real windows.
Untitled Mural 339 W. Broadway On the east side of the Salvation Army Thrift Store. Created in 1984, this mural was painted with recycled paint by an unknown artist free of charge.
Untitled Mural Clay St. / Holiday Inn Mural in Bess Reed Park on the south end of Clay St. Volunteers and children of Big Brothers and Sisters painted this vibrant and humorous mural in 1997.
Untitled Mural YWCA Building at 1130 W. Broadway A beautiful tribute to the courage and transformation of women, the mural was designed and produced in 2000 by area high school students Amanda Keeland, Melissa McNay, Carla Rothenbuecher, AC Rothenbuecher, and Rachel Bailey, with artist Amie Thurber.
Untitled Sculpture 407 E. Pine St. The plate steel 16" by 16" cube is pierced by long, reinforcement bars, creating a three-point footing. Most likely created by Holly Fisher, date unknown.
Untitled Sculpture 2300 W. Broadway A life-sized buffalo, created by Billy Clark in 1986, composed of 1000 horseshoes and scrap metal. It is a monument to the demise of the bison. The effect of the open technique is light and airy, in contrast to the size and weight of the piece and the animal depicted.
Urethra Park 4707 Miller Creek Rd, a short distance off Hwy. 93, east side of the road Sculpted by Neil Olson in 1993. Welded steel and found object sculptures of great imagination, including a dinosaur clutching a small human skeleton.
Veteran's Memorial County Courthouse Honoring veterans of WWI and WWII. Located at the southeast corner of the Missoula County Courthouse lawn, on the corner of Broadway and Ryman, this cast bronze sculpture of a First World Way soldier was created by J. Pauling in 1921. A 1927 plaque lists WWI veterans and a 1948 plaque lists WWII Vveterans. It is very similar, to, but distinct from, the widely dispersed piece by E. M. Visquesney entitled "Spirit of the American Doughboy"
Veteran's Memorial Rose Park on 700 Brooks Ave. The American Rose Society, as a memorial to WWII casualties, established the Memorial Rose Garden in 1947. In 1988, a heroic-sized bronze sculpture of a winged male figure lifting a young soldier from the earth, created by Deborah Coperhaven, was installed, honoring Vietnam veterans. Seven bronze plaques list the names of Montana Vietnam veterans. A marble plaque at the base of the sculpture reads, "Together we flew to battle, Hearts and blades pounding, Sharing the fear and pain...Parted yet together, We faced the unknown. You Death, I the future." - Tom Crosser, 1988
Virgin Mary 420 W. Pine Sculpture set in a river cobble grotto in the side garden of St. Francis Xavier Church. Sculptor and creation date are unknown.
Wagon Wheel 515 S. Higgins Wagon wheel mural on the north wall of Big Sky Embroidery Store on the southeast corner of Higgins and Fourth. Artist unknown.
Walter Hook Series* 140 W. Pine Located inside the Council Chambers. Painted in 1984 - 1985 by Missoula artist Walter Hook, the series of four oils was purchased with the Bill Cregg Memorial Fund.
Water Feature First Interstate Bank, 101 E. Front St. Created from a solid piece of granite, it features the compass rose, bronze art depicting the river, and the exact GPS coordinates of its location. The pedestrian plaza and parking structure opened in May 2002 through a collaboration between the Missoula Parking Commission, the Missoula Redevelopment Agency, and First Interstate Bank.
217 Tremont St. Anthony's Catholic Church, east wall A 30' by 5' bas-relief of St. Anthony and the Christ Child, created by Rudy Autio in 1963. The colors are soft with a lead glaze overall.