![\"NAOMI](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1787205987_527_.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nGREAT FALLS \u2014 Paint, lifts and plenty of color have returned to downtown Great Falls as artists from across the country spend the week creating new murals.<\/p>\n
The work is part of Great Walls Great Falls, the annual mural festival running through Aug. 22.<\/p>\n
Watch Madison Collier’s report here:<\/p>\n
Great Walls paints downtown with seven new murals<\/p>\n
Among this year\u2019s visiting artists is Naomi Haverland of Orlando, Florida. On her first trip to Montana, she is bringing an unexpected western scene to the side of a future downtown business\u2026 a cowgirl riding an alligator.<\/p>\n
Haverland said the western theme was her only real direction. The rest of the design was left up to her.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe creative freedom is key,\u201d Haverland said. \u201cHaving a wall owner that\u2019s willing to take the risk of trusting me and letting me do my own style, that\u2019s a huge plus.\u201d<\/p>\n
She has participated in several mural festivals this year, and says the events give artists an opportunity to learn from one another while completing their own work.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s definitely the ideal painting situation because I get to hang out with other artists, learn from other artists, and have sort of a social environment in addition to getting the work done,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Madison Collier\/ MTN News<\/p>\n
Naomi Haverland, a Florida-based muralist <\/p>\n
Great Walls, formerly known as ArtsFest Montana, began in 2019 as an effort to address blight and bring more color to downtown walls and alleys. Now in its eighth year, the festival has continued to grow alongside the city\u2019s mural collection.<\/p>\n
Although artists complete their work over several days, planning for the next festival starts up again as the current festival comes to a close.<\/p>\n
Kellie Pierce, executive director of the Great Falls Business Improvement District, said curator Cameron Moberg spends much of that time researching artists and deciding whether their work will be a good fit for Great Falls.<\/p>\n
Once they arrive, local restaurants and other community partners help provide the visiting artists with meals, housing, paint and supplies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re totally taking care of us,\u201d Haverland said. \u201cThey\u2019re definitely treating us kind of like royalty.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"SAMANTHA](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1787205987_133_.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Madison Collier<\/p>\n
Murals by Samantha Houston (left) and Robert Bowen (right)<\/p>\n
That support lets the artists focus on the walls in front of them, but the finished murals keep drawing attention long after the festival ends.<\/p>\n
Pierce explained that visitors have traveled from across the state specifically for mural tours. She said convention groups have also requested walking tours, and a recurring group of art students from Power visits each fall.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou miss a lot of them if you\u2019re driving in a car because you\u2019re not going down the alleyways,\u201d Pierce said. \u201cYou\u2019re not going into kind of the nooks and crannies where these beautiful murals are.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"matley](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1787205988_367_.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n