Controversy remains over new art installation on the building of the North Dakota’s School for The Blind
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KVRR) — Controversy over this mural has grown within the past several weeks of its creation. But the North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind Superintendent says that this mural brings life to the students and the state.
“We wanted features that would exemplify what we do in a positive way. And the other thing we wanted is to have North Dakota themes. As you can see, there’s a meadowlark, we have a prairie rose. Those are things that everyone associates with North Dakota, and we’re a proud North Dakota agency,” said Paul Olson, Superintendent at the North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind.
Olson commissioned the mural with artist Trey Everett, who had completed another mural in East Grand Forks. Everett had worked alongside the school to decide what would go up on the mural and began work on June 17th. But just as it was nearing completion, planning commissioner told that they did not receive an ordinance for the work.
“That mural is designed so that you can turn your head and look back, and you got it. You saw it. It’s not a Where’s Waldo mural. You’re not looking for fifty things,” said Trey Everett, Artist.
Commissioners during the July 9th meeting mentioned the mural could cause distraction to drivers passing by. But Olson points out that while that may be a distraction ,it also helps slow traffic near an elementary school.
“The studies that look at that certainly there are all kinds of things that cause distraction for drivers. Electronic billboards, regular billboards, signage on businesses. We recognize that. But there’s also a lot of studies that show that murals could also slow traffic in residential areas and commercial areas. And some of those studies even indicate that it reduces the number of accidents,” said Olson.
Olson said he is going to work with the city to keep the mural, but if the decision is made to paint over it he will follow what the city asks.
