In LaBonte Park, a new mural has been painted on a giant full pipe in the skate park. A mural inspired by the community, it has been a comprehensive collaborative effort.
“Things you see in the mural are inspired by the community,” said Conor Mullen, the artist behind the project. “The images are inspired by the community and my passion.”
Mullen’s passion is skateboarding.
This is one of the reasons as to why this mural is located on top of a full pipe in their skate park. Skateboarding is a pastime for the artist but it also is a community connected activity for those who visit the park.
“So, at LaBonte, a community inspired mural, friends of the Laramie SkatePark build a community around that park,” said Mullen.
The skate park had been there for years and had been a stable there.
“LaBonte Park is the home of the Laramie Skatepark. And the Skatepark full-pipe is a large surface that was begging for a makeover! LaBonte Park also holds a special place in the community’s heart — and this mural captures that spirit,” said Laura McDurmit, the director of Laramie Public Art.
The mural was created with the community in mind, as the way Mullen was inspired for the artwork, he took a survey of the community’s wants for a new mural.
“The mural visualizes the community’s love for LaBonte Park. While the mural certainly beautifies the park, it also creates pride of place and is a conversation starter,” said McDurmit.
“In the survey overwhelmingly the community voted to add the western tiger salamander to the list, since the park sees a large migration of them every year,” said Mullen.
Not only have the creators been proud of it, so has the community as well.
“I enjoy the subtle color scheme and like how it is calming,” said Ec Powers, a freshman majoring in political science. “ I really appreciate that the city is also trying to beautify skate parks as my hometown doesn’t fund the local skate park so local skaters have to maintain it themselves.”
