New downtown mural commemorates Idaho Falls’ animals

IDAHO FALLS — The Pets of Downtown mural job is underway in Idaho Falls. The job began in June and provides family pet moms and dads the chance to commemorate and memorialize their furry good friends by having its picture painted into the mural by regional artist Marina Zavalova.

The public is welcomed to participate in a main ribbon cutting for the mural on Thursday, July 20, at 4 p.m. with the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce.

Portrait space is restricted, according to a press release from Idaho Falls Downtown Development. A $250 contribution protects your family pet’s area for a three-year term. $50 of each picture charge is contributed to the Snake River Animal Shelter. All other funds will be utilized to preserve the mural and support the artist.

“This collaboration is an incredible way to invest in our historic downtown, honor the pets that have added so much to our lives and highlight the rescued critters throughout our community. We are honored that such an incredible artist will be providing the artwork in this unique opportunity to support our community’s no-kill, nonprofit animal rescue,” Michelle Ziel-Dingman, Executive Director of Snake River Animal Shelter, said in the news release.

The mural was influenced by a mural in Del Ray, Virginia, entitled Dogs of Del Ray, however all animals are welcome in the Idaho Falls variation. Rescue animals will receive unique acknowledgment, organizers said; they will have a heart painted in the corner of their picture.

The title of the mural has actually already been painted along the top by Jesse Mendoza at Dynamic Painting LLC. It lies on the north wall of BlackRock Fine Wine and Craft Beer, in the street off Park Avenue in downtown Idaho Falls.

It is, the Downtown Idaho Falls Development Corporation said, a “professional, moving and a beautiful tribute to the animals in our life.”