Breckenridge Texan

By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan

In support of the City of Breckenridge’s work to beautify the community, Clear Fork Bank made a donation this morning to the public art project that will feature the work of local artists on utility boxes at several intersections. Clear Fork Bank President Kevin Simmons presented a check for $1,000 to City Manager Cynthia Northrop and Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Maylun Vanwinkle in support of the project.

Other sponsors for the public art contest are Republic Services, InterBank and MLR Graphics. The funds will be used pay for the wraps that will be applied to four utility boxes, as well as for the labor and the prize money.

The City and the Chamber, in partnership with the Downtown Development Council, Breckenridge Fine Arts Center and the Texas Department of Transportation, are hosting a Public Art Contest aimed at promoting beautification and enhancing the downtown area. The plan is for the artwork to remain on display for five years, at which time another contest will be held to find new art to place on the utility boxes, Northrop said.

The contest is open to Breckenridge-area artists and Breckenridge High School students. The designs created by the artists will be transferred to wraps, which will be used to cover three utility boxes located at the intersections of Walker Street and Breckenridge Avenue (U.S. Highway 180 and U.S. Highway 183), Walker Street and Court Street, and U.S. Highway 180 and FM 3099, as well as a utility covering at Foundation Park on the corner of Walker Street and Breckenridge Avenue.

Northrop said the utility covering in Foundation Park is currently designed to match the rocks in the fountain display but that it will be changed to more of a box covering adorned with one of the winning designs.

The theme of the contest is “Celebrate Breckenridge Heritage!”

Prizes for area artists include:

• First place: $200 and artwork displayed at Walker Street and Breckenridge Avenue (U.S. Highways 180 and 183)

• Second place: $150 and artwork displayed at U.S. Highway 180-West (West Walker Street) and FM 3099

• Third place: $100 and artwork displayed on the utility cover in Foundation Park, located on the northwest corner of Walker Street and Breckenridge Avenue

 A high school category will award a $500 scholarship and display the winning art at Highway 180 and Court Street.

The designs should be thought of in terms of the four sides/panels of the utility boxes, Northrop said. The art could be one design that is repeated on all sides of the utility box, or it could be a mural-style design that continues around the box, she explained.

To enter, artists must submit complete an application, along with a digital copy of the artwork and the $25 entry fee check made out to Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce; the entry fee is waived for BHS students. All participants must sign a release for their artwork.

The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Sept. 30, 2025. Entries should be delivered via email to cnorthrop@breckenridgetx.gov or on a flash drive to City Hall, 105 N. Rose Ave., Breckenridge, TX 76424, ATTN: Cynthia Northrop.

More information is available at breckenridgetx.gov/about/public_art_contest.php.

The City of San Angelo and several community groups there have worked for several years to revitalize the city’s downtown and other areas. Part of the project includes decorated utility boxes like the one pictured above. (Photo Courtesy of the City of Breckenridge)

Cutline, top photo: Clear Fork Bank President Kevin Simmons presents a check for $1,000 to Breckenridge City Manager Cynthia Northrop, center, and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Maylun Vanwinkle in support of a public art contest to beautify the community with artwork displayed on utility boxes at key intersections in Breckenridge. Additional sponsors include Republic Services, Interbank and MLR Graphics. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)