Basin Mural a tribute to history and heritage

Work has begun on the Basin mural. It is located on the South Big Horn County Water District’s wall at C and Fourth Street in Basin. The nearly 9-foot letters spell out BASIN. Each letter is filled with echoes of local history, traditions and heritage. For example, the B has teepees, buffalo, local petroglyph art, wagon trains and cattle. 

The mural is part of the Basin Hertitage Commons. When completed, the Commons will have benches, commemorative walkways, native plants and history. It will be a gathering place for the community.  

Deanna Skillman and Rebecca Kinane, the collaborating artists, are the same ones who painted the mural in the Big Horn County District Courtroom and were part of the group that painted the Greybull mural. Basin is the biggest mural they have done together. 

Skillman explained, “This will be my ninth mural over the years. I have done some very big ones, including a mural for a play backdrop in 2003. It was extensive since it needed to be able to be moved on and off stage. I would put the Basin mural in play with the courthouse mural as far as size goes. The Basin mural has been more convenient to work on as far as being able to move around scaffolding and ladders to work faster. Every mural I have worked on has had its own set of challenges, but all have been very rewarding.” 

Kinane explained how they came up with what would be featured in the letters. “When we worked on the courthouse mural, we both researched Basin and the surrounding areas. (If I remember correctly) the mural committee for Basin was looking for something like the Greybull mural, but a design unique to Basin.  In my letters, I included elements that were not in the Greybull mural, namely the specific crops grown in the area and few wildlife species unique to this project. The S is special, because it is a collaborative effort by Deanna and I.  Plus, it features the courthouse. Since Basin is the county seat, it made sense to put it right in the S which is the middle of the five letters.” 

Skillman added that input for the letters came from the Basin mural committee. One item of input had to do with the school mascot. The Riverside Rebel mascot is front and center in the S. However, there is also a bobcat, which was the mascot of the school before the high school combined with Manderson High. The last class of Basin Bobcats was 1987.

The weather has been a bit of challenge. Last week it rained a couple of days. That meant two less days of painting. However, on the painting days, people have been stopping and making comments.  Skillman added “People are so excited! They love the colors, elements and are just happy to have something so big in their community. I have also been told by word of mouth how happy people are to get to see it on their commute to work. And all the comments, likes, shares on social media speaks volumes with how excited the community is. Check out my Facebook page for all the fun progress reels and throwback music to the late ‘90s and early 2000s.”  She plans on having her portion of the painting wrapped up by May 29.  The mural will be varnished in early June. 

Kinane was gone a week with her family for her son’s Make-A-Wish trip. She started painting again on Memorial Day. “I am very excited about what the lot in front of the water district building will become! The mural being a part of a larger beautification project is something truly special.  I hope that locals and visitors alike will enjoy the entire attraction for years to come!” 

Basin Town Councilperson Linda Weeks and Barbara Anne Greene were part of the mural committee. Weeks commented, ““We’re incredibly excited to see this mural finally begin after more than a year of planning and collaboration. This project truly reflects what our community can accomplish when we come together. I want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to our generous sponsors who made this possible, and to Barbara Anne Greene, Basin Chamber and the Town of Basin Beautification Committee for their dedication and vision throughout this entire process. It’s been a long time in the making, and we’re proud to bring something lasting and meaningful to our community.”

Greene said the mural became a reality thanks to the sponsors.  “The water district was the first to step up. Danae Bales, John Joyce and the board were great about allowing us to paint on their wall. The Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund provided the grant that got the ball rolling.  REA was the next to step up with their donation. General Manager Jeff Pillow really championed the request with the REA board. REA’s Carrie Hunt was extremely helpful to us with the request.”

The Basin Area Chamber voted to donate $500 toward the project. TCT, UW Extension, and  Gottsche came on board as well. Four individuals made donations to the funding: Linda Weeks, CJ Duncan, Diane Burch and the Ellison/Greene family. Greene said she is honored that the Ellisons and Greenes are a part of the mural. They will also have bricks to honor Floyd/Willa Ellison, Barbara Ellison Greene and William E. Greene in the walkway. Bricks and pavers are still available and can be purchased by calling Bales at 307-275-0419. 

The ribbon cutting for the mural is the kickoff to Lilac Days on June 5 at 6 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend. Following the ribbon cutting is the sealing of the time capsule and a Man In Tan concert. Everything is free. Barbecue from Up in Smoke will be available for purchase.