BOZEMAN, Mont. – Efforts are underway to breathe new life into Bozeman’s downtown area with vibrant alleyway art projects. The Downtown Bozeman Partnership has been collaborating with local artists to beautify these frequently walked paths.
Ellie Staley, Director of the Downtown Bozeman Partnership, explained that this project has been ten years in the making. Each alley will have its own unique theme, with one of them being “Adventure.”
“We obviously see a lot of pedestrian traffic on Main Street on the sidewalks. And we wanted to bring an opportunity to really create a multi-use pedestrian scenario downtown. And we’ve already seen a lot more people walking the alleyway, which is really cool to see,” Staley said.
Thus far, the Partnership has funded two completed murals, with another sponsored by a private business. Kelsey Dzintars, a local artist, created a mural inspired by the view from the top of Drinking Horse Trail. She used mostly spray paint to encapsulate the adventure theme, showcasing a transition from roads to dirt paths leading into the mountains.
“Somebody told me, you don’t have a view of the mountains, a painting of the mountain’s the next best thing. So, you know, obviously we have a need for this infrastructure in downtown Bozeman and building up and not out. And so if we can make those things aesthetically pleasing and exciting, that’s pretty cool,” said Dzintars.
Walking down the alley, Hyalite Creek is depicted running down the road using a special paint called StreetBond. The alley’s “Adventure” theme will also be highlighted by three sculptures, string lights, and historic signs featuring adventurers from Bozeman’s history.
This initiative aims to enhance the visual appeal and pedestrian experience of downtown Bozeman, drawing more visitors and creating a vibrant community space.
