Published on March 26, 2024
HELENA, Mont. – The City of Helena Commission unanimously approved Artist Elise Perpignano’s design of “Wildfire” for the Lyndale tunnel mural. Elise is a lifelong Helena resident who proved her artistic merit for murals with the mural titled “Momentum” that you can now see in real life on the Centennial Trail tunnel under Last Chance Gulch connecting Memorial Park and Centennial Park.
The Lyndale Tunnel runs under Lyndale Avenue and connects the Great Northern Town Center and Centennial Park. Nineteen submissions were received for the mural. The City will pay the artist $15,000. The contract stipulates the artist will supply all materials needed for the mural with those funds and complete the project by the end of July. The project is expected to start in early April.
Perpignano’s design “Wildfire” commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Mann Gulch Fire. Perpignano stated in her submission “Growing up here has exposed me to the beauty of nature and the harsh reality of wildfires. As an artist, I’ve turned this experience into inspiration to capture the beauty and complexity of the relationship between wildfire, humanity, and nature. This design is visually stunning and is an educational tool to teach us about the stages of wildfires in nature and the ecosystem in our backyard. It includes imagery from Gates of the Mountains Wilderness in Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest, Sleeping Giant, and the Missouri River. It also honors the 13 smoke jumpers who risked their lives to fight the Mann Gulch fire 75 years ago.”
Questions or comments in reference to this project can be directed to:
Bridget Johnston
City of Helena, Community Facilities Manager
316 North Park Avenue, Room 162
(406) 447-8399
bjohnston@helenamt.gov