Gallery

Affiliation: Valier 7 - 8

Team Leader: Stacey O'Neal

Artist(s): Brock Bales, Hunter Bowie, Tabitha Boyles, Tucker Brownell, Emma CalfRobe, Taylor Curry, Cassie DeRouche, Kolter Forbes, Ryder Hitchcock, Gabrielle Holms, Chance Horn, Coltyn Kelley, Taelyn Kuka, Garett Monroe, Trevor Nation, Dylan Peebles, Alli Peterson, Hadley Standley, Hayden Standley, Farrah Weaselhead, Rayden West, Franklin Wilson and Connor Woldstad

Description / Inspiration: The students in Mrs. O'Neal's 7th and 8th grade health class had just finished a unit on the risks of drug use when they decided to enter the Paint the State contest. One of the topics they discussed was finding lifelong activities that one enjoys so that it is less tempting to resort to drug use when a person is bored or struggling. Many of our students like to get outside and enjoy nature in some form or another and Montana is the perfect place to do just that. Since Valier is next to beautiful Lake Frances, which is known for its excellent Walleye fishing, we choose the fishing theme. The students submitted their own art work in class, then we combined a couple of these pieces that we liked to come up with the final design. We used outdoor acrylic paint with UV protection to preserve it.

County: Pondera

Location: It is on the west side of the car wash at 418 Teton Ave, Valier, MT 58486. This is on highway 44 which is one of the main routes to Glacier National Park. View on map

Thank Yous: Thanks to Valier Area Development Corporation for encouraging us to paint the mural and for financial support, Jerry and Stephanie Sullivan for letting us paint it on their building, Jeremy and Shannon Curry and Heidi Fowler for lending us the scaffolding. Also thanks to the parents of the students who raised such awesome artistic kids and for running them back and forth through this process. And thanks to Valier Schools staff and students who helped out during this project.