Carousel of Smiles approved for ‘Galloping Pony’ mural

By Reader Staff

It’s been a little more than two years since The Carousel of Smiles started establishing its home at 502 Church St.; and, as the 1920 Allan Herschell carousel gets ever closer to rebirth after a long project of restoration, the building itself is preparing for a makeover.

Carousel organizers applied for and received approval from the city of Sandpoint to install a 1,000-square-foot mural on the north-facing exterior wall of the buildings located at 502 and 504 Church St.

According to application materials submitted to the city, the mural will measure 100 feet long by 10 feet wide and feature “a scene of horses running against the backdrop of a sunset.” 

Members of the Sandpoint Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation Commission voted Aug. 11 to unanimously recommend approval of the application, which city councilors obliged at their Sept. 2 regular meeting.

Organizers intend to seek community participation in painting the mural, which is referred to as “The Galloping Pony,” as well as draw on artists who have worked with refurbishment of the carousel over the years.

For more information on The Carousel of Smiles, go to thecarouselofsmiles.org.