A new mural has finally taken place under the bridge beside the Missouri River. About seven years ago, an idea to create a mural under the bridge beside the Missouri River was suggested. In 2022, this idea was resurrected with the passion to have it complete by 2023.

Greta McLain is the name of the main artist, who has over a decade of mural experience and has painted them in many different states and countries. However, there were many people who worked on this particular mural from start to finish for many hours.

“Several hundred people helped on the project,” BHS art teacher Paul Noot said. “This summer she had local artists assist her in attaching it to the bridge pier.”

Noot played a part in creating this mural as well.

“It was like painting a big ‘paint by number’ square,” Noot said. 

Having it in a paint by number style, many people got to contribute to the mural. The mural was done with canvas sheets, so it was easy to transport and take out to the public. The public got a chance to paint on those canvases for the new beautiful mural.

Many other materials were used in creating the mural.

“[Materials used were] Acrylic outdoor mural paint, canvas/muslin, and gloss medium to attach it to the wall,” Noot said. “It is somewhat like a wallpaper.” 

There is a lot of meaning behind the mural. 

“The piece is about the Missouri River and the people that use it.” Noot said. The river is a resource for all of us, and it brings us together.” 

The mural features a graduate of Bismarck High School. He is kneeling down wearing a shirt that says: “Water is Life” in Lakota. 

“The main portrait of the young man is of George Gillette.”