Rails to Trails: Evolution of Transportation Mural

Overview

Artist Betni Kalk painted “Rails to Trails: Evolution of Transportation” on the FIRST AVE Trail-facing wall at 15 S. 20th Street. Kalk’s mural illustrates the Loess Hills under sunny skies, showcasing the building's evolution from a train maintenance facility to a car maintenance center through depictions of various modes of transportation. Celebrating the trail, the artwork features a cyclist, a walker with a dog, and children on scooters. “This mural is meant to brighten its viewer’s day, especially on a cold gray winter day when the bright colors remind them that spring will be coming soon,” said Kalk. The mural comprises eight sections, three adorned with wildflowers, a monarch, and a bee, making them ideal backdrops for family photos, senior portraits, and selfies.

The City of Council Bluffs has implemented a mural program along the newly constructed FIRST AVE trail. This project, administered by the City of Council Bluffs with generous financial support from the Iowa West Foundation, has transformed the FIRST AVE corridor into a place of artistic expression. Local artists have lent their creative talents to convert the passageway into a vibrant canvas, adding a new dimension to the landscape. For more on the project, visit FirstAveCB.com.

Council Bluffs is home to several murals that tell the history of our area and bring vibrance to our community! Discover the creativity!

Category: Attractions