JOLT returns for a big piece of eye-catching artwork

    Plans have been underway for more than a year for development of the vacant parking lot west of the Imperial Police Department.
    That area received a big Jolt, literally, when a familiar artist to many in Imperial returned to put a splash of design at that area.
    Silas Ulibarri, known as Jolt in the art world of Colorado and beyond, was in Imperial last weekend to kick off the visible development at 7th and Broadway Streets.
    He said he was told to “just go for it” by Community Development Director Tyler Pribbeno and paint the north-facing wall in what is to be known as Imperial’s art park.
    In about a day’s time, he and a couple of fellow artist friends covered the wall in an abstract design on the spot, mostly in black, peppered with yellow here and there.
    He also painted a small section on the west-facing wall with a gorilla and starburst pattern.
    “It’s art for art’s sake,” he said.
    Jolt is the same artist here in August 2016 who was hired to paint the design in the city square property facing Broadway along 8th Street.
    That was the kickoff year for Smokin’ on Broadway.
    Formerly of Denver, Jolt now resides in Golden, Colorado, where he headquarters his business Guerilla Garden.
    He is well-known throughout the region as a writer and graffiti artist. He said the Jolt name comes from the graffiti culture he is immersed in.
    He’s served as a creative consultant for brands such as Pepsi, Jeep and Adidas, and has been commissioned to create public and commercial works around Denver as a means to improve communities.
    His Guerilla Garden studio serves as an educational center and hub for emerging artists.
    Pribbeno said it was “mind-blowing” to watch Jolt work and “complete the artwork on the spot on that massive canvas.”
    He was impressed with Jolt’s confidence, walking up to the space with cans of spray paint, creating a striking design.
    The wall is 65 feet wide, and 18-19 feet high.
More artists involved
    Chelsea Zuege, art teacher at Chase County Schools, will be involved with other volunteers/artists as the art park develops.
    Zuege worked on applying the base coat last weekend on a west-facing wall on which she will create a series of hearts scaling up the wall. She hopes to work with several local artists in completing that design.
    Other artists will also be involved in the project, starting this weekend, Pribbeno said.
    Nicki (Gaswick) Boardman will be here this weekend and next week to paint her mural at the art park. Oria Simonini, a muralist from Omaha, will begin her mural on Monday.
    Pribbeno said the public is encouraged to come by and watch them work.
Other art park plans
    Passersby can already see the gazebo on site that will be further developed in the coming weeks.
    Doug and Nathan Gaswick built the structure using used railroad ties. Pavers will be added for flooring.
    Pribbeno said the goal for much of what goes in at the art park is to recycle, reuse and repurpose used materials.
    Some of the other art park plans include raised flower beds, shade structures and used couches that will be covered with painted tiles created by all ages, Pribbeno said.
    Currently, residents of the Imperial Manor and Parkview-Heights will paint some of the tiles, along with youths in summer library programs.
    Youths at The Bay in Lincoln, owned by former Imperial resident Mike Smith, will also paint tiles, he said, for some urban youth involvement, as well.
    Pribbeno also created the Welcome sign in Spanish that is hung on the north-facing wall of the police station as part of the art park.
    He said, along with Clerk/Administrator Jo Leyland, they wanted to create something eye-catching to attract the attention of people passing through town.
    He said Imperial already has several welcome signs in English, including the wood sign a block south at Adams Lumber.
    “I wanted something slightly different while still conveying to passersby how welcoming of a community we are, and an inclusive message to try to help strengthen everyone’s sense of belonging here,” he said.
    Anyone who would like to be involved in the park’s development, or with some other ideas for the park, can contact Pribbeno at the city office, 308-882-4368.
    “We are open to other ideas for the space,” he said.
    Funding for the project came from a $15,000 AARP grant, $10,000 from the Imperial Community Foundation Fund and $1,000 from Waypoint Bank.
    He also received word this week the art park will be funded with a $7,500 matching grant from the Nebraska Community Foundation.