Written by Valley City Tourism
The community mural in downtown Valley City has become a vibrant symbol of creativity, collaboration, and local pride. What began as a simple idea to bring more color and energy to our city has evolved into a project that united people from all walks of life, leaving a lasting impact on both residents and visitors.
The idea for the mural originated with a single question: “What color do you think of when you think of Valley City?” At first, it seemed like an unusual question, but it sparked an important conversation. Valley City, while beautiful, could use a splash of vibrancy, something to reflect the community’s spirit in a more colorful way.
In 2023, as discussions of how to create more vibrant spaces swirled among a group of local community members, the Main Street Initiative (MSI) Vibrancy Grant was discovered. This grant program aims to support small, community-driven projects that spark excitement, improve quality of life, and inspire future initiatives. The MSI Vibrancy Grant encourages communities across North Dakota to add a spark of activity and energy to their towns while inspiring citizens to make positive changes in their community - and Valley City was the perfect candidate.
With a clear vision to add vibrancy to downtown, the committee saw a unique opportunity not just to create a mural, but to involve the entire community in its creation. The idea of a paint-by-number mural emerged, where every member of the community—regardless of age, ability, or skill level—could leave their mark. This approach turned the mural into something far more meaningful than just paint on a wall. It became a reflection of community pride and unity.
The project began to take shape in August of 2024. A team of local artists collaborated to design a mural that captured the essence of Valley City, highlighting the things we cherish most. The final design included symbols representing local landmarks and values: a cowboy hat, wheat, and books, among many others.
The perfect opportunity to bring this mural to life came during the annual Summer Vikes on Central event, hosted in collaboration with the Summer Nights on Central committee and Valley City State University. With over 700 residents, visitors, students, and alumni expected to attend, it was the ideal time for the community to come together and paint.
Dean and Dixie Sauer, owners of Valley Officeworks, were thrilled to offer their building as the mural’s canvas. With their enthusiastic support, the committee primed and outlined the mural, setting the stage for the big day.
On September 12th, during Summer Vikes on Central, the mural became a true community project. With assistance from the VCHS community art class, people of all ages grabbed paintbrushes and contributed to the artwork. Laughter filled the air as children excitedly helped bring the mural to life, and VCSU students took part, creating a lasting connection between them and Valley City.
Now completed, the mural is a vibrant addition to downtown, showcasing symbols that reflect Valley City’s history and spirit. But the project didn’t just bring color to a blank wall—it brought people downtown, sparked conversations, and reignited excitement about the future of our city. The mural has become a point of pride for the community, drawing locals
and visitors alike to admire it, and there is even potential to expand in the coming years.
More importantly, the impact goes far beyond the mural itself. It has fostered a sense of ownership and connection among those who participated, knowing they contributed to something meaningful. The project has also inspired conversations about what more can be done to enhance public spaces, with new ideas emerging for future community-led projects that could build on this success. The mural stands as a testament to what a community can achieve when it comes together with a shared vision.
This mural is more than just a piece of art—it’s a symbol of unity, creativity, and possibility for Valley City. Our downtown feels a little bit brighter, and the enthusiasm generated by this project has created momentum for even more community-driven initiatives in the future.
In the end, the true impact of this mural lies not in the paint, but in the spirit of collaboration and pride that made it possible. Valley City is now more connected, and this project marks the beginning of many more exciting and vibrant transformations to come.
We would also like to extend a huge thank you to:
Dean and Dixie Sauer for generously donating their building as the home for the mural and being so supportive and excited along the way
VCHS art teacher, Mrs. Krueger, with her mural expertise and willingness to help throughout the entire project
VCHS art students for all the time volunteered during the event
Dick Lorenz for the use of the lift
Bridgetown Imprints for donating the anti-graffiti coating
Valley Service for the use of their driveway to host this event
All Volunteers that contributed at any stage of this project
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