Utility Box Artwork Project Still Open For Expansion

By VERNON ROBISON

The Progress

The brightly-colored artwork which has been applied to electric utility boxes throughout the City of Mesquite in recent weeks have created quite a splash. This beautification project has gained the attention of the public, and folks are asking how the project might be expanded further into the community.

Many people have seen these vibrant artistic wraps in town and wondered how they could bring the artwork to an electric utility box near them. Some have even called the office of local utility Overton Power District #5 (OPD5) to inquire on this subject.

“We have received a lot of calls from members of the public asking if we would do something similar on a utility box in their neighborhood,” said OPD5 Line Operations Manager Corey Dalley. “We think it is great that people see them and are enjoying them so much. We are proud to have taken a supporting role in this exciting project.”

The only problem is that the artwork is not an OPD5 initiative. And the power district is not the place to call to inquire about adding more boxes to the project.

Rather, the artistic wraps were the brainchild of the recently formed Mesquite Public Arts Commission (MPAC), a body formed last year by the Mesquite City Council with the goal of the beautification of the the city through commissioning public artworks.

Many of the existing wraps were funded through a Nevada state grant. Others have been funded by contribution from local businesses or individuals who wanted to see the project expand.

MPAC Chairwoman Christine Picior said that the commission is still open to accepting private donations to fund additional boxes in the city.
“We had one neighborhood where the residents banded together and bought two of them,” Picior said. “We think it is wonderful that this project has brought such enthusiasm and joy to so many people in town.”

But Picior explained that these requests must go through proper channels before becoming a reality.

Members of the public who are interested in having artwork applied to a box in their neighborhood should contact Picior, not OPD5. They should be prepared to give the number on their box and its location. Picior then gets in touch with Dalley at OPD5 to begin an extensive approval process.

“Corey (Dalley) and OPD5 has been wonderful to work with throughout this process,” Picior said. “They have been very supportive. But they must give approval since it is actually their equipment.”

OPD5 General Manager Mendis Cooper explained that the district has received requests in the past from different groups to paint certain switch boxes in different neighborhoods.

“We’ve had to turn them down because it can ruin the coating on the switch, and it raises our maintenance costs,” said Cooper. “You have to remember that these switch boxes are expensive, and they protect live wires and parts inside. MPAC contacted us about wrapping the switches and after looking into it, we thought they came up with a great idea that works for both of us. We loved the idea!”

Once the box locations are approved by OPD5 staff, Picior said she submits the location to the staff at Clark County Printing who eventually will produce the wrap for the artwork.

The art itself has been created and donated by Salt Lake City artist Rachelle Knight. But the wraps are printed and installed locally by Clark County Printing. Supervised by OPD5 staff, their experts take a measurement of each proposed box and give a quote on a price it will take to wrap that box, Picior said.

“MPAC basically sends a bill to the donor and they make a donation to make the work possible,” Picior said. “Then the artwork gets installed.”

To get the ball rolling, those interested in proposing a utility box for this project may email Picior at cpiciormpac@gmail.com.