Silo Artwork Celebrates Iowa

State's largest mural captures cultural landscape

By Haley Banwart

While Iowa may not collectively be known as an art mecca, a masterpiece has visitors flocking to Fort Dodge to experience an unexpected fusion of art and industry.

From a distance, the roadside attraction looks like any old grain silo. At second glance, the subtle colors and contours of a stunning mural come into focus against its concrete canvas.

The grain silo mural is the largest artwork of its kind in the state. Standing 110 feet tall, the structure features 360-degree views of six massive portraits depicting local residents who are part of the industrial and cultural fabric of the community.

According to Fort Dodge City Councilman Terry Moehnke, the mural was commissioned as part of an initiative to revitalize the Fort Dodge Northwest River District. With the grain storage facility no longer in operation, the first stage of the master plan involved turning the aging eyesore into an asset for the community. “The grain silo is in a visible area that runs adjacent to the Des Moines River and a nearby trail system. Its transformation into public art was a hallmark in our efforts to brighten and beautify the neighborhood,” Moehnke says.

Guido van Helten was hired to collaborate on the project. The Australian artist is internationally recognized for his large-scale mural installations, including several he has completed around the Midwest.

Photo by Joseph L. Murphy

PRESERVING THE PAST, CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY

The concept for the mural was inspired by photographs taken by van Helten of anonymous Fort Dodge community members. In each portrait, the subject holds a piece of historic clay pottery showcased at the Fort Museum and Frontier Village.

“It has never been our intention to release the identities of these individuals,” Moehnke says. “The mural was meant to reflect the entire community, and the pottery was included to honor our past while looking to the future.” He adds that the preservation of the grain silo also serves as a reflection of the area’s agricultural ties.

These elements were harmoniously incorporated into the mural using neutral tones that will naturally age with the concrete. A faded Fort Dodge Grain Terminal emblem that remains on the southwest corner of the silo perpetuates its early origins.

Thanks to grant and donor support, the $200,000 project was completed in December 2018.

Today, visitors can admire the details of the work at close range or sit back from across the grassy field in awe of its massiveness. Moehnke says the effect is even more dramatic at night with LED spotlights.

“In the fall, the silo stands out against the changing trees, but the unique setting makes it a great place to visit any time of the year,” he says.

Visit the silo at 727 Hawkeye Ave. in Fort Dodge near the entrance to Loomis Park.