VIDEO: Local Artist Brings New Life to Modella Art Gallery with Vibrant Mural

A local artist is transforming the exterior of Modella Art Gallery in Stillwater with a vibrant mural that represents both a personal milestone and a contribution to Main Street's visual landscape.

Katie Hoffmeier, who was once rejected from exhibiting at the gallery, now finds herself creating an artistic statement on its front facade.

"I first applied to be in a Modella show like five years ago and got rejected, which was totally valid at the time," Hoffmeier said. "When I did get in to a show last year, it was like a big deal for me, a milestone. When I proposed this and she was open to it, it was way above my highest expectation."

The project, which began with a site-specific drawing that Hoffmeier kept under wraps until implementation, faces unexpected technical challenges that have forced the artist to adapt her approach.

"Apparently the grade is such that I can't run it [scissor lift] parallel to the building which is how I generally do these things," Hoffmeier explains.

This positioning issue means the artist can only access about five feet of "finishing quality" at a time, extending the project timeline.

"It's probably going to take five days, you know where it would have taken maybe three," Hoffmeier said.

Despite these challenges, Hoffmeier remains positive about the progress. "To be honest, it's better than I expected considering everything," she said.

The mural features geometric shapes created using a technique involving strings as guides. "Day one's always sketching. So you can see strings which are used as a compass and then these are actually straight line strings," Hoffmeier explains.

Because of the scissor lift limitations, the artist has had to "pin and tie off" the strings rather than moving back and forth as she normally would. These adaptations have led to "a few adjustments in design just to kind of compensate for my ability to span the surface."

For the painting itself, Hoffmeier uses specialized tools. "These are my favorite. These are square, triangle and round brushes and I use these for cleaning in the edges," she says, adding that she also uses "standard microfiber rollers" for larger areas.

The interior portion of the mural will feature a yellow color scheme, with signage designed to attract visitors to the gallery.

Kathryn Ross, a new board member at Modella Art Gallery who happened to pass by during the interview, expressed enthusiasm for the project. "I really love it," Ross says. "I'm new on the Modella board. I've just been on the board for a month or two."

Hoffmeier views the opportunity as more than just a personal achievement. It connects to Modella's broader mission of supporting the arts in Stillwater.

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'An incubator for local artists'

"This is really a dream moment to be part of something that I've always loved, which are Main street projects and something so specific to Stillwater, which is like an incubator for local artists," Hoffmeier said.

She praises the gallery's inclusive approach to supporting creativity in the community. "They support the arts in so many different ways. More and more and more, you know, with nonprofits donating art supplies, with different events during the year, they're just really wonderful. And so many people get to show here. It's not just like exclusive."

With an eye toward longevity, Hoffmeier plans to apply a UV protectant to the finished mural. "I'll put a UV protectant on it. So it should extend the life of this," she explains.

The artist understands that public art evolves over time and maintains a practical perspective about the mural's future. "Hopefully it can look great until somebody else is ready to make their new look. And at that time, you know, I will have served my purpose in the annals of Modella."

Hoffmeier hopes the mural will enhance Main Street's character without disrupting its aesthetic harmony. "I've yet to see it from far away, but I'm hoping that it stands out without being an eyesore. And I don't mean that dramatically. You want it to be in harmony with the surroundings."

The artist sees the project as part of a larger tapestry of individual expressions that make Stillwater's downtown distinctive. "I think everybody does such a great job of making their slice of Main street their own, that this is our chance to do the same thing for Modella and everything that they do."

For Hoffmeier, the mural represents both personal achievement and community contribution. "It means something to me to be a part of it," she said, reflecting on the significance of leaving her artistic mark on a gallery that once turned her away but now embraces her vision.

Watch the interview with Katie

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