Perched at the edge of Yellowstone National Park, with the iconic Roosevelt Arch welcoming visitors, Gardiner, Montana blends rugged, old-west charm with a vibrant artistic spirit. The Yellowstone River flows through the center, separating the lively downtown of shops, restaurants, and outfitters from the dramatic mountain slopes. Murals and public art are scattered across town, reflecting both local heritage and the awe-inspiring landscape. Eric Junker, an artist and muralist, is one of the creatives who has left a lasting mark on this mountain community.

My mural here at the Gardiner Visitor Center is called Protect Our Wild Places. The imagery I used grew from an artist residency I did in the summer of 2022, just north of here in Paradise Valley. The artist residency came about when Lori Riker of the Artemis Institute invited me to fully immerse myself in the Greater Yellowstone area and to translate that experience into murals and artwork that could be used to promote awareness for the park and the area around the world.

Being in Paradise Valley and the wild places of the Rockies that summer was an incredibly inspiring experience. It deepened my connection to Yellowstone and the surrounding wilderness. And the mural really reflects that experience. It’s a celebration of the land that we share, the resources we share. And its location here at the visitor center is a tribute to the resilience of the Gardiner community.

The biggest challenge wasn’t the wall itself, but showing up ready to work with a plan. It came about in kind of a funny way. During the summer of 2024 when I had a mural project in Bozeman that fell through. So I was in the area, and I posted on Instagram that I was looking for a place to paint. The Gardiner community responded. They gave me this wall. They welcomed me with open arms. And I’m really honored to be a part of this community. That connection, that change to work with a resilient, close knit, beautiful little town was really the gift of this project.

The meaning of the mural is simple. It’s just that wilderness still exists and we need to be aware of that and we can’t take it for granted. And I hope that anyone standing in front of the bear and the wolf and the other creatures in this mural feel gratitude for Yellowstone and the park and area. And they feel some responsibility to help work to keep it intact for future generations. I often get asked for my advice to young artists who are just starting out, and I say stay open, anchor your work in what you love. And remember that a career in the arts is a marathon and not a sprint because it definitely has its ups and downs.

While you’re in Gardiner, don’t miss my other mural that’s on the back wall behind Yellowstone Pizza Company. My favorite part of that mural is the giant trout painted on the propane tank. It’s my little Easter egg gift to the community of Gardiner and a playful reminder to everyone that art can surprise you in the most unexpected places.