MARCH 14, 2025|
Photo – Mural at Laramie’s LaBonte Park – Courtesy Laramie Public Art Coalition
A Laramie artist has offered to paint a public mural in Medicine Bow.
During the March 10th Medicine Bow town council meeting, Laramie-based artist Conor Mullen pitched an idea for a piece of public artwork to the governing body.
Mullen began by explaining he lives in Laramie and has driven through Medicine Bow many times while visiting his father in Casper.
Mullen described a public art project he completed at LaBonte Park in Laramie. The artist said in 2020, he asked the City of Laramie to allow him to paint a mural on a feature at the Labonte skatepark. After the city agreed, Mullen said he reached out to the local community for input on the art project.
Mullen said he used a variety of methods to get the attention of people living near LaBonte Park. Members of the community were directed to an online survey to contribute ideas for the mural.
Additionally, Mullen said he organized “listening sessions” at nearby nonprofits to allow residents to explain what they would like to see on the mural.
Using the information gathered from the online survey and in-person meetings, Mullen said he was able to create a first draft of his mural design. The artist said he showed that design to a mural committee, made up of community members and representatives from local nonprofit organizations, for final approval. Mullen said he had no shortage of ideas for his artwork.
Using feedback from the mural advisory group, Mullen was able to create a final design that everyone felt represented the community’s vision.
After the initial start, the artist began to paint the mural, finishing the project by the fall of 2020.
The completed mural makes extensive use of blacks and blues. At its center, two blue buildings with arms extending from their doors reach toward each other, with water droplets falling between them.
Mullen asked the town council if Medicine Bow would be interested in a similar project, adding that he would leave it to the community to decide where the mural should be located.
Councilwoman Crystal Mayfield asked Mullen how much he charges for his work. The artist said depending on the size of the project, costs could range between $3,000 and $10,000. However, Mullen said his prices have increased as he has gained more experience as an artist.
Mullen added that his fee would change based on the number of trips he would need to make to Medicine Bow to work on the project.
The town council suggested having Mullen paint a mural, possibly of the Medicine Bow Wrangler, on one of the town’s water towers, ensuring the artwork would be visible from the highway.
Mayor Justin George said he will contact the Carbon County Visitors Council to ask about grant opportunities to help pay for the art project. If funding is available, Mayor George said he’ll reach out to Mullen to further discuss the matter.
