Murals
6th Street West Underpass
“Featuring warm, vivid colors, these murals are a large work of fine art on concrete. It is my hope that even just a glimpse of them will evoke feelings of inspiration, positivity, and hope within the viewer.”
“Rise & Shine: A Mural for the Community” spans 3,500 square feet on the concrete surface of the 6th Street West underpass in Billings, Montana. The mural was organized by the South Side Neighborhood Task Force upon receiving a Space2Place grant from Big Sky Economic Development, and artist Elyssa Leininger was selected to design and paint the mural.
The Rise & Shine murals depict the recognizable landscapes surrounding Billings, Montana, including the Rimrocks, Four Dances Natural Area, the Yellowstone River, the South Hills, and Red Lodge Mountain. They feature native plants and animals, including life-size bison and elk, standing more than six feet tall. Hidden in the walkway murals are numerous small creatures, plants, and projectile points. A scavenger hunt for the murals can be found here.
Elyssa began painting the murals in August of 2020. In the beginning stages, volunteers helped paint the background colors and fill in the major shapes. After more than 1,000 hours of work, Elyssa finished painting the first portion in November of 2020. The South Side Neighborhood Task Force received another grant in the spring of 2021 and partnered with Elyssa to paint portions of the east side of the underpass, as well as the walkway ceiling and columns to create an art immersion experience. The murals are protected by the highest-quality anti-graffiti coating available, which will keep them vibrant for generations to come.
“When I began painting the murals, I planned to give a gift of fine art to the community with hopes of leaving a small impact on the individuals passing by and making a difference in just one person’s day, however the individual who was impacted the most was me. In exchange for pouring my heart and soul into the large concrete structure, I received a gift worth more than anything material. I received community support, encouragement, hope, and love. My heart and soul have been softened and opened, as over the course of 100 days, I have personally experienced the goodness of humanity countless times. For these heart-warming experiences that the Rise & Shine mural provided me, I will forever be grateful.”
- Elyssa Leininger
North 13th Street Underpass
Due to the outpouring of community support during the creation of the Rise & Shine mural, Elyssa and the South Side Neighborhood Task Force decided to once again partner to expand the mural project to the North 13th Street underpass. The Task Force received another Space2Place grant from Big Sky Economic Development in the spring of 2021, as well as numerous donations from businesses and individuals. This mural serves as a prelude to the 6th Street W underpass murals, utilizing the same bright, warm colors and depicting the same familiar landscapes that compose the Yellowstone Valley. Collectively, the murals on the two underpasses are titled, “Gateway to the Yellowstone.”
Walk-in Coolers
Commissioned by the The Marble Table and Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Elyssa Leininger painted walk-in coolers for the two Downtown Billings restaurants. Her designs depict the famous Rimrocks, rolling hills, and distant mountains, as well as cowboys, cattle, and bison. These two walk-in coolers can be found in the alley behind The Marble Table and Dickey’s Barbecue Pit on Montana Avenue.
Community Crisis Center
Elyssa Leininger’s work adorns three walls of the Community Crisis Center, creating an uplifting atmosphere for those who most need hope. The mural depicts the Yellowstone River, the landscapes surrounding Billings, and bison. The Community Crisis Center is located at 704 North 30th Street in Downtown Billings.