Public ARt
T
he fiftteenth publication of ART Revolution gives us the opportunity to revisit the eloquence of a few writers featured in previous issues. ART Revolution has provided thought provoking insight about art in public places as well as invaluable information about the City of Missoula’s public art collection, local artists, galleries, museums and cultural events. Although public art isn’t always obvious – it can often raise public debate and discussion – it’s absolutely vital to a city that prides itself on its cultural and artistic roots. (Dana Green | Freelance writer | 2007-2008) Missoula residents, university students, visitors, and passersby can experience quality art by simply taking a stroll around town. It is a gesture of egalitarianism and inclusiveness, an opportunity for cultural enrichment to take place outside museum and gallery doors and to be shared with the entire community. (Tom Benson | Director, Arts Missoula | 2009-2010) But public art is different. It is unique in that is is defined by location and makes art immediately accessible. The personal sensibility of the artist is exposed to the public’s expectation of what art should be. And what art “should be” has changed dramatically in this country, because we as a population have changed dramatically. (Dana Boussard | Artist | 2010-2011) The true value of public art lies in its lack of pretention. It inhabits public places, be it under the upon sky, in legislative chambers, or within our community’s many public gathering spots. (Dave Strohmaier | Former City Council Representative to MPAC | 2013-2014) Public art echoes a society and reveals how a community defines itself. In Missoula, public art reflects who we are within the stunning landscape that surrounds us. It a quintessentially human addition to the natural world’s beauty of forms, colors, and shapes. Public artworks enhance the environment, contribute to our uniqueness and serve as amenities within the community. Missoula’s collection of murals, sculptures, signal boxes, memorials, or other installation grow out of who we are as a community. This collection is replicated nowhere else. (Barb Koostra | Former Director of the UM Montana Museum of Art & Culture | 2014-2015) Public art is the first and most accessible layer of the Missoula community. It is the personalization of public spaces. It humanizes our environments. It expresses our past, present, and future community values and culture by continually evolving. It has the power to comment on environmental and social conditions and to activate civic dialogue. Public art can challenge our assumptions, beliefs and values. (Barbara Neilan | Director, Destination Missoula | 02015-2016) The exchange between artwork and viewer is an act of reflective consideration that is the self-indulgent act of given oneself the time and space to consider openly what the art expresses. Truly great art invites a person to this sort of consideration again and again throughout a lifetime. (Geoff Badenoch | Former Director, Missoula Redevelopment Agency | 2017-2018). 4
A 2021-2022 Guide to Missoula’s Public Art
