Rotarians Learn Of Mesquite’s Beautification Efforts

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

The Mesquite Rotary Club luncheon last week featured two guest speakers who are on the front lines of an extensive Mesquite beautification project.

City Councilman George Gault and Mesquite Public Arts Commission (MPAC) President Christine Picior spoke at the July 20 luncheon held at the Mesquite Public Library. They shared what is being done to bring new artwork to the City’s public places.

Gault explained how MPAC came into being. Each councilmember appointed an MPAC commissioner and then each of these appointees chose one other commissioner to serve. Gault praised the commission for identifying worthwhile projects that would be positive and feasible.

“In the month of May, the city received an $1800 Grant from Nevada’s Main Street Program,” Gault said. “The grant’s focus is to enhance the main streets of Nevada cities.”

The grants required a 10 percent match from the community. Deep Roots Harvest stepped up and provided that match, Gault said.

The MPAC commissioned artwork from Salt Lake City artist Rachelle Knight to be placed on eight public utility boxes in town. The Commission contracted with Clark County Printing in Mesquite to produce wraps incorporating the colorful artful designs which could be applied to the boxes.

Gault added that other businesses and organizations in town had joined in to help bring more of the boxes online. Eureka Resort has paid to wrap two additional boxes and The Rotary Clubs have stepped up to wrap a box.

In addition to this project, Picior explained MPAC plans to create a park on a now-vacant lot on Mesquite Blvd. in front of the library. This would involve adding simple landscaping with rocks and desert plants along with works of sculpture from local artists. The Rotary Club expressed an interest in placing Rotary Buddy Benches there as well.

“This is a project that can be accomplished quickly,” Picior said.

Gault showed renderings and described in detail a vision that MPAC would like to see happen for Mesquite, He brought photos of public artwork in the dowtown area of Grand Junction Colorado and in Sheridan, Wyoming. Each of these communities have vibrant public art programs which have placed sculptures and other art on each corner, Gault said.

The goal is to beautify Mesquite in a similar fashion. These ideas presented were enthusiastically received by the Rotary Club membership at the meeting.