By MAGGIE MCMURRAY
Moapa Valley Progress
The students and staff at Bowler Elementary are ready for an updated look to their school. They are starting by replacing the mural over the front doors of the school.
The much-beloved mural currently on the front of the school was painted about 17 years ago by art teacher Clint Brill who recently retired. Since it was originally painted, the mural has never been refreshed or updated. In the harsh summer climate of the area, it has begun to look faded and worn.
The Bowler Climate Committee, a special committee which considers changes needed to the school’s appearance, is looking for ideas on a new mural.
“We feel we need a new mural for the front that updates the look of the school,” said committee member Trina Linford, who also teaches at the school. “With the fading on the old one, we have had people express to us that they have a hard time identifying the building because the name isn’t prominently displayed. We want to redecorate the front so the building is easily identifiable from the road.”
In addition to the name of the school, the team is also looking for the mural to introduce and tie into the nautical theme that the rest of the school decorations are following.
The Bowler mascot is the “Buccaneers” and they are looking to incorporate that element into the first glance visitors have of the school when they enter.
“We don’t mean that the new mural must have pirates in it by any means,” Linford said. “But we are looking for something with a nautical theme that will tie into the decorations and themes found throughout the rest of the school.”
In order to find the perfect mural painted, the school committee has opened the job to proposals and bids from whomever would like to submit them.
“We want anyone who is interested to submit a proposal and a bid,” Linford said. “We would love to see some work from our current high school students and from those who are Bowler alumni.”
Interested parties simply need to design a mural that will be 80 inches x 360 inches and submit a scale version of their idea along with a resume of past work and the anticipated fee for the mural proposal submitted. Bids need to be all-inclusive and include the cost of all materials and any other anticipated costs, as well as as the cost of the artist’s time.
Climate committee member and Bowler teacher, Amy Widdison is excited to see the proposals that will be submitted. “We know there is a lot of talent in Moapa Valley as well as a lot of creativity and we’re excited to see what people come up with,” Widdison said. “There are so many people with fond memories of their years at Bowler and we hope they will take time to submit their ideas. We are excited for Bowler to get a new look.”
Linford agreed, saying, “We’re looking for new and innovative ideas to represent our school and look forward to seeing the talent that we know is out there.”
The deadline for submitting any proposals is February 22. Bids will be reviewed by a committee of judges on March 2. Submissions can be emailed to awiddison@interact.ccsd.net or tlinford@interact.ccsd.net. Physical submissions can be mailed to PO Box 470, Logandale, NV 89021. Any questions can be directed to Widdison or Linford at 702-398-3233.
