HomeMy WebLinkAboutNomination Form SubmissionQ1: Your Name
Ellie Staley
Q2: Your Email Address
ellie@downtownbozeman.org
Q3: Phone Number
4065813827
Q4: Name of Nominee (Property, Project, Group, or Individual)
Downtown Alley Enhancement Project
Q5: Address/Location (if applicable)
Alleyway north of Main Street, from Black to Tracy Avenues
Q6: Award Category
Cultural Heritage
Q7: Statement of Merit - Why do you believe this nominee deserves a Historic Preservation Award?
The Downtown Alley Enhancement Project transforms an overlooked alley north of Main Street (between Black and Tracy Avenues) into a vibrant, historically evocative public space that
connects Bozeman’s past with its present. Through site-sensitive design, the project: Celebrates Bozeman’s spirit of exploration and connection to the natural world via public art inspired
by local landscapes such as Bridger Canyon, Drinking Horse Trail, the Divide, and Fairy Lake, bringing diverse community members into dialogue with our geography and heritage. Honors
Indigenous heritage by featuring a mural from Crow artist Stella Nall, whose work embeds Apsáalooke language and cultural symbolism into a public realm, offering visibility and representation
often missing in our downtown landscape. Creates a welcoming, accessible environment enriched by enhancements such as string lighting, wayfinding signage, and educational historic plaques,
fostering connection, navigation, and sense of place for all. Demonstrates the power of historic preservation not just in renovating structures, but in reimagining public spaces so
that history is encountered, celebrated, and shared by community daily. This project bridges art, history, inclusivity, and design, making it quintessentially worthy of recognition
by the Historic Preservation Awards.
Q8: If a Project: Briefly describe the type of work completed. Please include relevant history of the structure (year built, original purpose, etc.)
The Downtown Alley Enhancement Project involved transformation of the alleyway north of Main Street, from Black to Tracy Avenues, through: Installation of string lighting at each alley
entrance, creating ambiance and improving safety and nighttime usability. Implementation of wayfinding entrance signs to guide visitors and strengthen the alley’s identity. Placement
of historic plaques honoring local adventurers and explorers, creating educational touchpoints and acknowledgment of Bozeman’s early heritage. Commissioning of site-specific public
artworks: A vibrant river asphalt art installation, inspired by nearby Hyalite Creek, applied using StreetBond, a durable surface treatment that integrates art directly into the pavement.
A landscape-inspired mural by Kelsey Dzintars, reflecting the natural landscapes of the northern Rockies. A mural by Stella Nall, centering Indigenous identity and language by naming
the creature “Baáchuuaashe” (Apsáalooke name for this land), visualizing edible native berries, and promoting Indigenous visibility. While the alley itself may not be a historic structure,
it sits in the heart of historic downtown. The project repurposes this connective space through adaptive preservation, invigorating an urban corridor with layers of history, culture,
and community.
Q9: If an Individual or Organization : Provide a summary of contributions to local history and how they promote cultural heritage.
The Downtown Bozeman Partnership and associated organizations behind the Downtown Alley Enhancement Project demonstrate outstanding contributions to local history and cultural heritage
by: Proactively facilitating a public realm project that goes beyond restoration, creating dynamic, accessible art installations that celebrate Bozeman’s natural and cultural narratives.
Partnering with local artists, including Bozeman-based illustrator Kelsey Dzintars and Crow artist Stella Nall, to embed stories of place, landscape, and Indigenous heritage directly
into downtown infrastructure and aesthetics. Elevating Indigenous voices and cultural visibility through public art. Stella Nall’s mural not only symbolizes ancestral presence in Bozeman,
but actively encourages future generations to see themselves represented and valued in shared civic spaces. Engaging the community through wayfinding and educational plaques, making
history tangible and accessible for residents and visitors alike. Through this project, the organizing bodies have redefined historic preservation in Bozeman, showing that it can be
inclusive, experiential, and deeply rooted in both landscape and cultural memory.
Q10: Upload photos or supporting documents
1.jpg
Q11: Upload photos or supporting documents
3.jpg
Q12: Upload photos or supporting documents
Kelsy_Dzintars_mural_dan_bradner.jpg
Q13: Upload photos or supporting documents
river2.jpg
Q14: Upload photos or supporting documents
sarahangst.jpg
Q15: Photo Use Permissions
I grant permission for the City of Bozeman to use submitted photos in print and digital publications
Q16: If you are submitting on behalf of someone else or a property owner, are they aware of the nomination?
Yes
Q17: If yes, please provide their contact information (email and/or phone number)
Skipped
Q18: Are there other people or organizations affiliated with this nomination that you would like to acknowledge?
No
Q19: If yes, please provide their contact information.
Skipped