If you've spent any time in downtown Helena in the last several decades, you've probably seen the Montana Women's Mural. Since it has been a part of the area for over 40 years, you may barely even notice it anymore, but this stunning work of art is far more than just something that makes the city look better, although it certainly does that. The history of the mural is quite beautiful.
You'll find the Montana Women's Mural along the Helena Walking Mall, on the south wall of the Livestock Building.
If you can find downtown Helena, you really can't miss it.
The Helena Women’s Center was founded in 1975 to address issues concerning women.
The group came up with the idea to paint this mural in hopes of bringing together all Helena residents, both old and new. It took them until 1979 to finish this masterpiece.
The mural was planned and painted by Anne Appleby, Marilyn Sternberg, and Delores Dinsmore. It was funded by the Montana Arts Council, the Helena Indian Alliance, and President Carter’s CETA program among other sources.
The mural consists of three distinct panels. The first section is defined by an older woman, representing a pioneer. Here you'll also find a school teacher and an artist who commemorate the women who came out west to bring education and stability to the frontier.
The main focus of the second panel is the image of a mother with her baby. The model was Helenan Debi Corcran and her son Eli, who was born as the mural was being designed.
This panel also features storefronts and a few other notable characters, including a few ladies of the night. They were a part of Helena's history, and they deserve recognition.
The final panel is dedicated to Native American women. It acknowledges the way of life prior to the arrival of miners and homesteaders.
The sky is dark in this panel, largely because of an amazing 1979 eclipse that artist Anne Applebee chose to include.
There's a lot more impressive symbolism and recognition in this beautiful mural.
The next time you're in Helena, check it out and see what you find.
Did you know how Helena's most famous mural came to be?
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