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Transformer Cabinet Murals#

Ren Burke mural in progress

BirdsEye mural in progress by Ren Burke, 2020.

The Transformer Cabinet Mural Project was started in 2004 as a collaboration between the City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places Program and Utilities Light and Power. Serving as a graffiti abatement program, the murals help lower maintenance costs while adding bright colorful art in unexpected places. The program also helps keep the investment local by utilizing local artists and non-profit groups to paint the cabinets. Since the start of the program, over 400 transformer cabinets have been transformed into works of art.

Slideshow of past murals

Image Gallery

Paint a Transformer Cabinet Mural, Deadline April 29#

Aerica Raven Van Dorn and her 2023 Transformer Cabinet Mural

Aerica Raven Van Dorn paints her Transformer Cabinet Mural in 2023.

The City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places (APP) Program seeks to commission multiple artists/teams to work with the APP Project Team to develop concepts for murals to be painted on transformer cabinets located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The murals are intended to help mitigate graffiti, as well as create artful objects within the public sites. The APP Program will select artists/teams for multiple locations. Artists/teams will be selected based on their qualifications/application materials.

The Art in Public Places Program also seeks to commission multiple artists/teams to work with the APP Project Team on the Neighborhood Transformer Cabinet Mural Project. The artist/teams will engage members of a Fort Collins neighborhood selected by the Project Team to develop a visual concept for the mural to be painted on a transformer cabinet located the neighborhood. Members of the neighborhood may also be invited to assist in painting the mural. Artists will receive $500 for community engagement work in addition to compensation for the mural. Artists who select the Neighborhood option will also be considered for a Transformer Cabinet Mural, but if selected, will be assigned only one or the other.

These projects are open to all artists/ teams that reside or have a current studio space within the Growth Management Area of Fort Collins, ColoradoDeadline: April 29, 2024 by 5:00 p.m.

Apply Now!

Questions About Applying?#

If you are interested in painting a Transformer Cabinet Mural in 2024, come to our informational session to learn more about the process.

Virtual Presentation and Q&A
Watch the Recording

This session includes a presentation about the application and review process. Program staff answers questions at the end of the session.

Still Have Questions? Contact Libby Colbert at lcolbert@fcgov.com.

Transformer Cabinet Mural Program’s 400th Mural#

Terry McNerney painting

Terry McNerney painting the cabinet at 3754 Landings Drive.

This year, local artist Terry McNerney has painted the program’s 400th cabinet mural. This is McNerney’s fifth cabinet mural to date and his design celebrates the Program’s milestone with whimsical characters in a colorful, birthday party atmosphere. 

Terry painted the cabinet at 3754 Landings Drive. Please stop by and see this new mural!