The Helena Public Art Committee was born when Becky Eiker, a Helena resident, expressed her desire in 1998 to donate a statue to the city entitled Extra! Extra! which is a bronze statue of a newsboy. City officials were pleased and realised that others might be interested in making art donations. The City appointed an advisory committee comprised of artists, citizens at large and art administrators to inventory and assess existing city-owned art. This group became the Helena Public Art Committee (HPAC). The varied membership reflected a variety of visual and performing arts specialities found throughout the area.

The inventory determined the condition, assessed needed maintenance, and identified appropriate restoration processes. Eight pieces were included:

Gateway -- Artist: Robert Harrison, 1997, located between the west side parking garage and the Power Block Annex, downtown Helena

Bison -- Artist: unknown, 1890, located at the entrance to the Lewis & Clark Public Library, downtown Helena

Standing Stones -- Artist: Richard Mayer, 1976, located at Lazy Green Park across Rodney Street from the Helena Middle School

Bullwhacker -- Artist: John Weaver, 1976, located near the Securities Building, downtown Helena walking mall

The Prospectors -- Artist: Lyndon Pomeroy, 1974, located on Broadway, downtown Helena walking mall

Confederate Fountain -- Artist: George Carsley, 1920, located in Hill Park near the Civic Center

Extra! Extra! -- Artist: Becky Eiker, 1999, located just south of 6th Avenue on the walking mall, downtown Helena

George Washington -- Artist: unknown, ca. 1888, located at the County Courthouse on Broadway

"All ot the Above, None of the Above" -- Artist: Chip Clawson, 2007, located behind the Lewis and Clark Library in downtown Helena

"Take It Easy" -- Artist: Kirsten Kainz, 2010, Butte Avenue and Sanders Street traffic circle

Helena Public Art Committee Activities

After the inventory, restoration work was completed on The Prospectors, the Bison, and the Bullwhacker. The Womens' Mural on the south face of the Livestock Building (walking mall) was restored in 2005. The mural was painted in 1979 by Montana artists Delores Dinsmore, Ann Appleby and Marilyn Sternberg with the assistance of other community members. It illustrates the history of womaniseÆ roles in Helena.

The next HPAC project was the booklet Best Little Art Town: the Guide to Art in Helena, Montana. The first edition was published in 2006 and a second in 2007. Planned now as a biennial guide to art and artists in Helena, it has become a valuable resource for visitors and residents alike.

In 2007, artist Chip Clawson was awarded a commission to create a piece of public art for Pioneer Park (behind the library, downtown Helena). The piece called All of the Above, None of the Above, is a combination of ceramic forms and park benches for the enjoyment of Helena residents.

Also in 2007, the George Washington statue was restored and placed inside the County Courthouse. The statue is one of the oldest pieces of art in Helena, originally commissioned by county commissioners in 1888. Sculptor Richard Ellis restored the statue.

Events in 2008 included restoration of the Confederate Fountain and another restoration of the Pospectors. The first Chalk Up Helena! sidewalk chalk event was in the summer of 2008.

Projects in 2009-2010 include a new art piece, the Butte and Sanders traffic circle near Helena High School, Open Studios Tour in September, and Chalk Up Helena! in July. A series of concrete aches are also planned on the Trolley Block of the downtown walking mall.