T. Falls art initiative gets boost

Thompson Falls Main Street Committee (TFMSC) is embarking on a new adventure through the creation of the Thompson Falls Public Art Initiative. The goal is to build relations between local businesses, artists and the public while creating a life-long connection to the community.

“We are interested in beginning a program for public art downtown,” shared Jen Kreiner, TFMSC. “Ideally, the proposed project structure would bridge the business community and the school district through a volunteer art initiative.”

Together, downtown buildings that could benefit from artistic enhancement are being identified, Kreiner shared. Thompson Falls High School art students (under direction of art teacher Micah Grossberg) are teaming up with local artists, Jared Shear and Andrea Fernandez, to develop paintings that will be transferred on the buildings, creating mural masterpieces.

Currently, Shear and Grossberg are working together, with Grossberg’s students, to bring art to the east side outer wall of the True Value hardware store on Main Street. This will be the first project of the initiative efforts and is expected to be complete in the fall of 2019.

Further collaboration is taking place as Sanders County Art’s Council member Steve Eberhardt is providing technical assistance regarding materials and maintenance planning. Eberhardt has “a breadth of experience with outdoor installations and murals,” commented Kreiner.

The Main Street art movement is not limited to murals alone. Council members have a vision of the community being enhanced by 3-dimensional creations and hope for the downtown to reflect multi-themed works of art that reflect the pride, personalities, culture, and talents of those living within the community.

TFMSC believes this program will strengthen the students sense of place and home, inspire community members to add to their sense of hometown pride, beautify our downtown, reflect what is important to residents and add to Thompson Falls assets as a destination, Kreiner shared.

To support the art initiative, TFMSC is hosting a Spring Jamboree fundraiser on Saturday, April 6 at the Elks Lodge. From 4 to 8 p.m., there will be entertainment by Dave and Deb Oliver, a HighLead Smokehouse BBQ, an ice cream social, live and silent auctions and raffle. There will be 20 pieces of student art work that will be raffled off, according to Debbie Wilson, Jamboree coordinator. The cost is $10 at the door and proceeds will go toward purchasing project materials for the art initiative.

“Our community has so much positive momentum with the purchase and renovation of the Black Bear and construction of Ainsworth Park,” said Kreiner. “This would bring added vitality and build an additional sense of connection for students.”

More information on the initiative can be obtained by contacting Kreiner at (406) 546-9775 or emailing her at [email protected]. Questions about the Spring Jamboree can be addressed by Wilson at (303) 669-8377.