“This has been a fun project to bring together people from all over the area to work on a common piece of public art,” said Shelly Bottorff, executive director of the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association. “It encompassed a diverse group of students from start to finish and brought them together to create a stunning end result.”

The mural is located along the west interior wall at Fort Frenzy and is directly across from a mural previously done by local artist Renee McDonald, creating an “artist’s alley,” according to Bottorff.

“As the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association’s Youth Art Council began discussing potential projects for the 2023-2024 school year, I mentioned the idea of a mural,” said Bottorff. “I told them that I had no idea how to make it work, but that we had all of the supplies if one of them could come up with a design.”

Noborikawa designed “Colorfall” with fellow students Briley Singer, Emma Davis, Sol Birkey, Logan Hamilton, Maya Neverman, Tristen Holst, Josie Novencido, and Remy Smith working on planning, design and execution of the mural. Fort Dodge Senior High art instructor Deidra Miller-Clay also assisted with the logistical aspects of the mural.

-Submitted photo
Members of the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Youth Advisory Council paint an original mural on the west wall inside Fort Frenzy. The mural contains the artwork of more than 40 area students.

“Watching this incredible group of students lead from start to finish on this public art project piece fills me with immense pride and excitement,” said Bottorff. “Their creativity, dedication, and passion have truly brought this project to life, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with their achievement.”

Incorporated into the mural, are small canvases also created by youth artists at free art activities hosted by Fort Frenzy.

“Students of all ages participated in the summer art event, and we ended up with several small canvases filled with their original artwork,” said Bottorff. “The students were told that we would keep their artwork and would incorporate their pieces into a larger mural for Fort Frenzy.”

The entire mural project took six months to plan and an additional six weeks to install, said Bottorff. Many of the students were also involved in musical theater season at the same time, and worked on the project as they were able to.

“All of these students are heavily involved in the arts in their respective schools,” said Bottorff.

Many of the same students who created the mural at Fort Frenzy were also involved in the mural project at the Blanden Art Education Center as well.

“I knew that they could do amazing work together,” said Bottorff. “They have since played a role in the newest mural at the Matt Cosgrove River’s Edge Discovery Center as well.”

The Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association will soon open applications for this upcoming school year’s Youth Arts Council. Information will soon be available online, at their schools, on social media. The Youth Council is comprised of up to 15 students, ages 14-18, who are passionate about the arts and have an interest in civic action.