Joshua Martel scores mural at Riverfront Park Sports Complex
Spokane Arts has made a selection for the 2021 Hooptown USA outdoor basketball court mural project located at Riverfront Park.
Local mural artist Joshua Martel will be the painter for the mural at the multicourt complex, which is still under construction at the North Bank of the park.
The complex also will include a hall of fame celebrating the region’s rich history in basketball. Spokane Arts has said it envisions the project as a “celebration of the strength of both our local arts and sports communities.”
Martel recently completed another court mural at Chief Garry Park as part of a continuing Hooptown USA campaign to revitalize basketball courts throughout the Spokane region. Together with MultiCare Regional Health System and Spokane Arts, Hooptown USA aims to “inspire and encourage inclusivity, ultimately building healthier communities.”
Other local artists included in this project are Tiffany Patterson, with a court mural at Peaceful Valley Park, and Nick Goettling, who will install a court mural at Thornton Murphy Park in 2021.
In the last seven years, Martel has completed more than 50 murals all over the country. Although he grew up in Coeur d’Alene, the mural at Chief Garry Park was his first major mural in the area.
Martel was selected for the new Hooptown USA 2021 court mural by a committee of project and community representatives, including arts commissioners, and representatives from Spokane Parks, MultiCare Regional Health System and Hooptown USA.
Two of his designs made it to the top four design proposals, but the final design was chosen for being bold, inclusive, colorful and inspiring.
“(The Riverfront Park court complex) will be the centerpiece for basketball in Spokane, it will be where the community comes together to grow, laugh and have fun,” Martel said in a news release.