Ever wondered what your entire city might look like painted onto a giant wall? Well, you’re in for a colorful treat: Meet the latest Altoona-inspired mural masterpiece making a splash in Olde Town.
“Altus” by Austin, TX-based artist Mila Sketch highlights nearly 40 buildings, historical sites, and other visual landmarks around Altoona.
Past Meets Present Meets Future
There’s a new centerpiece on the block in Altoona’s historic downtown neighborhood—and it’s a colorful homage to the city’s past, present, and future.
Peek around the corner of the Borseth Law Office (111 Second St. S.E.) and you’ll see “Altus,” a giant new mural created for the Altoona community by artist Mila Sketch.
One of One
The Altoona Arts and Culture Commission received 66 different design submissions from around the world after the city put out a call for artists in early 2024. Mila’s winning design was chosen in June, and she finished painting the mural in late August.
Fun fact: The name Altoona comes from the Latin word “altus” which means high. This is because Altoona was the highest point on the old Des Moines Valley Railroad between Keokuk and Des Moines—966 feet above sea level!
The multicolor masterpiece is a snapshot of Altoona, serving as both a tribute to the city and a breath of fresh air overlooking a new pocket park. The mural and park will also be a welcoming sight for visitors coming off the Vern Willey II Bike Trail nearby.
The Layout and Landscape
Take one look at Mila’s mural and you’ll instantly spot a few iconic Altoona sights. Her joyful rainbow of colors capture nearly 40 different buildings, historic structures, community sights, and natural landmarks that make up the city.
“Her stunning design inspires a great sense of community pride,” city spokesperson Rachel Simon said in a news release. “You can really tell she went into painstaking detail to commemorate so many of the great things that Altoona is home to.”
Words of Appreciation
The Altoona community is now even more beautiful with the addition of another iconic mural—and this one’s a perfect homage to the city itself. “Altus” is an easily accessible source of Altoona pride, and its timelessness will shine through for years to come.
We’d like to give a big thanks to Mila for all the passion, color, and care she put into creating such a wonderful tribute to our city!
Discover More Art in Altoona
Thank you for reading this edition of Masterpieces of Altoona! We’ll be regularly updating this blog with content about Altoona’s incredible public art displays. Be on the lookout for more Masterpieces of Altoona QR codes—you’ll find them at exhibits throughout the city!
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