New murals bring culture, history and color to downtown Pasco streets. Take a first look
Colorful murals are taking shape in downtown Pasco.
The city launched an initiative this summer to encourage business owners and artists to collaborate and help beautify downtown streets.
Through the initiative, the city’s Arts and Culture Commission will reimburse business owners up to $5,000 if they get murals painted on their buildings by the end of December. Submissions are still being accepted.
So far, there have been two murals produced as a result of the program.
Both murals feature trains, highlighting Pasco’s history as a vital railroad hub starting in the 1880s.
One mural already is complete at Carl Holder’s building at 402 W. Lewis St.
The other is in progress at 108 N. 4th Ave. Building owner Thomas Granbois partnered with Pasco artist Cameron Milton after the two connected on Facebook.
Milton has been painting murals for 10 years. His work is featured on buildings at the Uptown Shopping Center in Richland, Dance Connection in Kennewick and at two Green2Go dispensaries in Finley and Pasco.
Milton’s latest is being painted in the alley between Ciao Trattoria and Mi Gusto Es Boutique, a formal wear store.
The owners of Imbibe and Ciao Trattoria, Susanne and Jessie Ayala, host about five events each year in the alley, including wine dinners and music performances.
“It will be a wonderful backdrop for alley events,” Susanne Ayala told the Tri-City Herald. “People are going to notice this block.”
In the initial design phase, Granbois requested that a train be part of the design, inspired by the Northern Pacific Railway steam locomotive at Volunteer Park.
Milton said the mural also will show a vibrant sunset and the farms and wineries iconic to the Tri-Cities.
The new program is funded by $20,000 the city set aside from the hotel-motel tax collections. But the city has an additional $5,000, after plans for another public art program changed.
City officials said the program is likely to carry over into 2025.
Separately, the city is looking for local artists to display their work at Pasco City Hall. Selected art pieces will be on display for a three-month exhibition next year.
Artists of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply via email with portfolios in any visual medium, including painting, sculpture, photography, textiles and digital media. Submissions are due Dec. 15.
