Artists Complete Large Mural in Missoula

A massive new art installation now covers the west-facing wall of the Clark Fork Riverside building.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Painting

Bold vector editorial illustration of a colorful abstract mural covering the brick wall of a tall urban building. — Artists Ernest Doty and AJ Tiam finished a 6,000-square-foot mural on the Clark Fork Riverside building in downtown Missoula this weekend. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Artists Ernest Doty and AJ Tiam have completed a massive mural on the Clark Fork Riverside building in Missoula. The artwork spans over 6,000 square feet on the building’s west-facing wall near the corner of Orange and Front streets.

Why it matters

The project serves as a major new visual addition to the local downtown area. The massive installation significantly transforms the appearance of the prominent building near the Clark Fork River.

The completed project covers more than 6,000 square feet and required 22 days of labor to finish. Artists utilized boom lifts and spray cans to apply the design to the exterior wall.

The players

Ernest Doty

An artist who co-led the painting process for the new mural project.

AJ Tiam

An artist who collaborated on the design and execution of the massive outdoor installation.

The details

The mural project occupied the artists for 22 days of painting before they applied the final touches this past weekend. The team relied on boom lifts to reach the heights required to cover the expansive surface area of the west-facing wall.

The artists completed the mural over the weekend of October 24-25, 2026.
Ernest Doty and AJ Tiam departed Missoula on October 25, 2026.

Culture Shift

This installation aligns with the broader trend of municipal public art programs designed to enhance urban aesthetics and foster community identity. It marks a departure from traditional civic design by utilizing large-scale spray paint techniques on prominent commercial architecture.

Residents and visitors can view the finished mural near the intersection of Orange and Front streets in downtown Missoula. The installation may alter traffic patterns or pedestrian behavior near the site as people stop to observe the new display.

The takeaway

Public art installations provide a unique opportunity to revitalize prominent city landmarks without requiring permanent structural changes to the buildings. Residents interested in large-scale works should look for signs of local art initiatives that continue to shift the visual landscape of the city.