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The Community Mural located in the heart of Valley City has become a vibrant symbol of creativity, collaboration, and local pride. What started as a simple idea to add color evolved into a project that united people from all walks of life.
It all began with one question: "What color do you think of when you think of Valley City?" This sparked a conversation about how to reflect our community’s spirit and increase vibrancy. With the help of the Main Street Initiative’s Vibrancy Grant, the vision took shape. The mural committee wanted to involve the whole community, choosing a paint-by-number design so everyone could contribute, regardless of age or skill.
In August 2024, local artists designed a mural celebrating Valley City's culture. A few highlights include a cowboy hat for the North Dakota Winter Show, wheat for agriculture, and books for the newly restored Carnegie Library. Over 700 residents, university students, and visitors came together during the Summer Vikes on Central event in September and many of them helped bring the mural to life, with the help of Valley City High School art students and community volunteers.
Now completed, the mural brightens downtown, reflecting Valley City’s spirit and history. It has sparked conversations, brought people downtown, and even inspired ideas for future projects. In the end, the true impact of this mural lies not in the paint, but in the spirit of collaboration and pride that made it possible, marking the start of additional exciting transformations for our community.