Monroe
Mural is hoped to make splash

By Christopher Schwarzen
Times Snohomish County bureau

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MONROE — Using a large work of art as bait, city leaders are angling for the economic revival of downtown.

The plan centers on a 130-foot-long mural depicting a wildlife-laden river ecosystem. It would function as a downtown landmark and a draw for tourists.

The Monroe Arts Council, formed last year to stimulate the cultural life of the city, has chosen the mural project for its first initiative.

If fund raising continues as planned, professional painters next summer will begin transforming the north wall of the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store building on North Lewis Street into a colorful depiction of river life.

The city of Monroe is supporting the project with a $2,000 grant in hopes the mural will draw attention to downtown businesses, which are expected to begin creating a revitalization plan in spring.

Monroe Arts Council For more information on the Monroe Arts Council, its mural project or how to donate, visit www.monroeartscouncil.org or call 360-794-4477.

Monroe officials believe a series of murals could make the city a tourist destination similar to such Washington cities as Toppenish. That city's murals, which focus on life in Eastern Washington, are a Yakima Valley tourist attraction, according to Monroe City Administrator Jim Southworth, who once worked in Toppenish.

The Monroe mural is designed to represent a cross section of the rivers in the area and the life found in those rivers. Kathryn Aalto, the president of the Monroe Arts Council, said she and others met often with local anglers to gather detail on the Skykomish and Snoqualmie rivers.

Included in the painting would be depictions of coho, pink and chinook salmon, beavers, river otters, mole salamanders and a great blue heron. Each creature would be identified, Aalto said.

All that's holding up the project is the money to get it started. The mural will cost about $27,000, and the arts council has about $7,000.

The council can get two regional artists started on the work with $20,000.

One fund-raising endeavor involves selling rocks with families' names printed on them. The rocks will be added to the wall to represent the riverbed, Aalto said. Other fund-raising involves applying for more grants.

"We convinced the city that our project could help enhance the city's image," Aalto said. "There's lots of information that murals can be backdrops. Couldn't you imagine someone like President George W. Bush in front of Monroe's mural?"

Southworth can.

He said the mural will create a buzz while it's being created and when it's finished, adding that he's already seen murals help transform one town into a tourist destination.

"Clearly, the murals helped Toppenish," he said. "This will be something representative of Monroe, and I believe the city will get its money's worth 30-fold."

Neil Watkins, the new executive director for the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, said a downtown-revitalization package must include art. He sees the project as one leg among many to jump-start a sagging economy in the city.

The revitalization plan likely will include art elements, he said. He recently met with Aalto to discuss possible connections.

Aalto said once started, the painting should take only about a month to complete. She hopes the start of the project will draw interest to the Monroe Arts Council.

Southworth said it likely will.

"When it's being painted, that in itself will be an event," he said. "People may not detour off Interstate 405 to come to Monroe, but if they see it from Highway 2, I think they certainly will."

Christopher Schwarzen: 425-783-0577 or cschwarzen@seattletimes.com

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