CANYON – Canyon Main Street (CMS) has chosen a muralist after putting out a call for artists earlier this year. The first mural, which will be on the west wall of Palo Duro Outfitters on the corner of Canyon’s Square, will be painted by muralist Bristen Lee Phillips.
This mural program is a new Canyon Main Street initiative, focusing on beautifying Canyon with public art. CMS will share the cost of mural installation with the business owner and help maintain the quality of the mural over time, a news release said.
The mural concept from Phillips includes “imagery of the Palo Duro Canyon Lighthouse Trail, western heritage, and an ode to regional Western artist Jack Sorenson,” a release said.
“We were pleased to have received 18 submissions from both local and out-of-state artists for our first mural,” said Kirstie Proctor, CMS Coordinator. “There were so many talented artists and amazing concepts to choose from, and the Design Committee spent a great deal of time reviewing and discussing each submission. Bristen’s concept, past experience painting a wide variety of impressive murals, and his passion for Palo Duro Canyon and this project ultimately brought him to the top. We are beyond excited to see this mural come to life!”
Phillips, who currently lives in Celina, Texas, has family in Canyon and grew up on at the Frying Pan Ranch. His great-grandparents lived in Canyon, and his great-grandmother was at one point the oldest living graduate of West Texas A&M University. Some of his past work can be seen on his website, .
“I am honored to be chosen to paint a mural for Canyon Main Street,” said Phillips. “The Lighthouse has always held a special magic for me, and when I think of painting the Palo Duro, I think of Jack Sorenson, Cowboy Artist. A native to Canyon, his paintings are an icon of western heritage. Capturing that life in a way that few can. This mural is a collage of Mr. Sorenson’s paintings, put together in a way that reflects my memories of growing up in this area.”
Painting of the mural is expected to start in October and finish by the end of the year, weather permitting. Updates on the mural’s progress can be found on the CMS Facebook page.
