12/12/2011
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Ten Mile Interchange mural is a tip of the cap to family, community
MERIDIAN - Drivers near the Ten Mile Interchange between Meridian and Nampa will notice a new mural on the interchange wall. It calls to mind Norman Rockwell and the idyllic Saturday Evening Post covers depicting the best of American family life.
"We wanted it to highlight Meridian's family focus," said Shelly Houston, spokesperson for the Meridian Mayor's office.
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. Here's picture 1 and picture 2 of the mural.
"It was also a way to distinguish Meridian from other communities," Houston explained. The family mural was selected over the usual flat, slate-gray finish that adorns many interchange walls.
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 - and discarded many more expensive options - eventually settling on one that emphasized "family and community" for the city's gateway entrance on the western end of the county, Houston said.
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, said the mural was
chosen to symbolize Meridian as a family-focused community, and also to "bring art into everyday life" - one of the goals of the commission.
Glasgow owns a picture-framing business and has vast
experience with artwork and artists. She was involved before the
Meridian Arts Commission was formed in 2007. The six-member volunteer board is appointed by the mayor and
approved by the 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.