Bondurant Community to Unveil Nature-Inspired Mural by Artist Drew Etienne
The Bondurant community is inviting you to join in the celebration of local art and nature as the City of Bondurant reveals a stunning mural by artist Drew Etienne at the Bondurant Emergency Services Building at the Bondurant Regional Trailhead on Monday, December 18th at 5:30 p.m. The event will take place on the south side of the Bondurant Emergency Services Building, facing the Bondurant Regional Trailhead. Please gather in the Trailhead Depot for the unveiling.
The Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC) at the University of Iowa selected the City of Bondurant as one of two community partners for the 2023-24 academic year. Through this unique partnership, more than 100 faculty and students will collaborate with Bondurant officials to complete 15 community projects, ranging from museum studies to engineering to law. Through this process, Drew Etienne was selected to design a mural for the Bondurant Emergency Services building which is along the Chichaqua Valley Trail. Community input was offered during the September 28, 2023, Bondurant Parks and Recreation Board meeting allowing public comment.
Drew Etienne, an accomplished artist with a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Iowa, has intricately designed a mural that encapsulates the beauty of Iowa's natural landscape across all four seasons. The mural is intended to create a harmonious connection between the built environment and nature, fitting seamlessly into the current Bondurant Emergency Services Building, which is the site of the future Parks and Recreation Facility.
The unveiling ceremony will mark the culmination of meticulous planning and design, with the artist's work set to be reviewed by the PUBLIC. Etienne's vision makes use of four distinct panels to showcase the changing seasons in Iowa – from the vibrant hues of autumn to the serene beauty of winter, the renewal of spring, and the warmth of summer.
Central to the mural's theme are native birds of Iowa, including the restart, the iconic blue jay paying homage to the Bondurant-Farrar blue jays, the elegant ruby-throated hummingbird, and the state bird of Iowa, the goldfinch. This avian focus not only highlights the rich diversity of Iowa's wildlife but also adds a local touch to the artwork.
As the Bondurant Emergency Services Building undergoes its transformation into a future Parks and Recreation Facility, the mural's seasonal motif and connection to Iowa's natural environment are expected to complement and enhance the surrounding space. The artwork will find its permanent home as the facility houses the parks and recreation offices, serving as a source of inspiration and appreciation for the community.
To learn more about artist Drew Etienne and explore his portfolio, visit http://drewetienne.com/.
About the City of Bondurant: The City of Bondurant collaborates with citizens and community partners to deliver exemplary public services, diverse recreation activities, and opportunities to participate in shaping a vibrant, welcoming hometown. The City of Bondurant has been honored as an Iowa Great Place and has sustained that designation.