Local gyms getting makeovers

Courtesy images This is a before and (potentially) after photo of the south wall inside Kellogg High School’s gym. The class of 2020 is currently raising funds to get the $5,500 mural completed by the time school resumes this fall.

by JOSH McDONALD
Local Editor | April 27, 2019 3:00 AM

Both the gymnasiums at Kellogg and Wallace Jr./Sr. High Schools are looking to upgrade with some fierce new artwork.

After seeing many of the schools around the region adding vividly colored murals to their facilities, the Wildcats and Miners are looking to join the party.

At KHS, the class of 2020 (currently juniors) are looking to leave the school with a bright mural on the north end of the gym.

The bright white wall has been glaring in contrast to the rest of the brick building, but they have commissioned a company to paint a mural on the north wall and are looking for local sponsorship to help complete the project.

The design was the mutual creation of Class President Chloe Wilbur, as well as Mr. Tim Kimberling, who knew the perfect Wildcat picture to use.

“We had some designs, but Mr. Kimberling came to me and told me about a Wildcat picture that was in the weight room and it was definitely better than the options we had,” Wilbur said. “We sent that picture to the artists and they made it work.”

Coming in around $5,550, the project is slightly beyond what the class can afford themselves. At this point, they have roughly $2,700 left to raise and have already began fundraising.

Coin drives are going on all around the Silver Valley and the class is looking for any business or private sponsor that may want to help out.

“We want it to be something that people look at and really remember after they leave,” Wilbur said. "Hopefully we can raise the money and get this project done this summer before we come back to school."

To donate, contact Kellogg High School at 208-784-1371 or email Wilbur directly at k20cwilbur@kelloggwildcats.org.

At Wallace Jr./Sr. High School, Athletic Director Bruce Bailey, along with a few other teachers, are working with a company called Jerm to get a mural painted on the east wall of their gym (where the team banners currently hang).

Jerm is the company responsible for the awe-inspiring murals at St. Maries High School and Moscow High School.

After Bailey took the idea to the school board and school administration, he was green lit to move forward with the project.

Jerm is currently in the process of getting some potential designs ready for Bailey to look at and then move forward with deciding which design they like best.

“We gave them some ideas, but this is going to be a process for sure,” Bailey said. “We want to get that whole east-end wall done. We want to give more character to our gym and inspire some more pride in our kids.”