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A tip of the cap to family, community
Interstate 84-Ten Mile Interchange features unique artscape

It calls to mind Norman Rockwell and the old idyllic Saturday Evening Post covers that depicted the best of American family life. Drivers near the new Ten Mile Interchange between Meridian and Nampa will notice a new mural on the interchange wall.

It’s a cast concrete relief overlay showing a man, woman and child walking down a pathway, holding hands. The family-themed mural portrays the trio on a winding path near a blooming tree, with a mountain scene as the backdrop.

The mural is on all four corners of the interchange, visible to both Ten Mile and interstate traffic.

ITD worked with the city of Meridian during the design process to identify artistic options for inclusion in the interchange. City officials weighed in on several potential surface treatments.

The family mural was selected over the usual flat, slate-gray finish. Any additional cost was negligible since surface treatments had to be done anyway to finish the concrete structure. The pathway was painted a dark gray color, and everything else was finished in a light gray as part of the anti-graffiti coating.

Meg Glasgow, a member of the Meridian Arts Commission and one of the people who favored the family mural design, says the mural was chosen “to symbolize Meridian as a family-focused community.”

Glasgow owns a picture-framing business and has vast experience with artwork and artists. She was involved before the Meridian Arts Commission was formed. The commission, established in 2007, is a six-member volunteer board appointed by the mayor and approved by city council. The group is dedicated to developing and improving the quality, quantity, accessibility and affordability of arts and culture for the citizens of Meridian.

The image was chosen as the interchange design was being finalized.