The Durango Public Art Commission on Tuesday approved funding for a new mural on the Think Network Technologies building in the 3000 block of north Main Avenue.
The proposed mural features butterflies in a blue sky and will face the alley between West Second Avenue and Main Avenue.
The wings of a monarch butterfly will feature circuit board patterns, and the wings of a blue butterfly will incorporate computer binary code, long strings of ones and zeros.
The piece will depict the harmony of technology and nature, said Melissa Glick, CEO of the information-technology consulting company. While the two can seem to be at odds with one another, the company promotes getting outdoors and a healthy work-life balance, she said.
The alley sees significant pedestrian traffic, including many students from Mountain Middle School who will enjoy the piece, Glick said.
“We have to do our part to elevate what’s going on back there,” she said.
The board unanimously approved $5,000 for the project. The project is funded through the city’s Durango Creates! program. The city set aside $20,000 to fund community beautification projects along north Main Avenue and around Camino del Rio. The city has $4,400 in grant funding left after the approval of the Think mural. The new program has also funded a new mural on the Kroegers Ace Hardware building, a new bench and Lego art installations along north Main Avenue.
The mural will be reviewed by the city Design Review Board before work can begin.
Once approved, artist Mariah Kaminsky plans to finish the mural by late October.
The commission asked the IT company to ask Mountain Middle School administrators if some of the students would be interested in helping with the project. They will be able to see the mural from their building. Involving them will give them some ownership in the piece, said board member Scott Smith.
“Let’s get them painting,” he said.
The group also asked the company to contact neighboring businesses about the project to see if they would be interested in participating. Several board members asked to see a bench incorporated into the project, but they did not make it a requirement.
Once the project is complete, the board suggested holding a party for neighbors to see it unveiled.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
