The Omaha Mural Project: Fertile Ground is a creation of internationally renowned mural artist Meg Saligman. Saligman’s work tells the story of Omaha’s past, present, and future by featuring historical references, present-day communitites, and portraying the passage of time with a unique “back to front” rather than “left to right” composition. At 32,500 sq ft, the mural is the largest public art project in the history of the city of Omaha as well as the largest singly funded mural in the nation. Located on the east and north walls of the Energy Systems building at 13th and Webster Street, creation of Omaha’s newest cultural monument began in early June of 2008, and was completed in June 2009.
The Peter Kiewit Foundation initiated the project in 2006. The foundation partnered with the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts for consulting and project management. After conducting a nationwide artist search, Meg Saligman, renowned Philadelphia muralist, was commissioned to design and execute a world-class mural in downtown Omaha and the Energy Systems building was selected for its canvas. The project was funded entirely by the Peter Kiewit Foundation as a gift to the people of Nebraska and the city of Omaha.
Visit http://www.omahamuralproject.org to learn more about the project.
