Hannah Thompson, Billings Senior High Muralist 2025

Hannah Thompson – Billings Senior High School – WINNER 2025

It’s only been in the last year or so that Hannah Thompson has become interested in realistic oil painting. She leaned on that experience to paint the mural on the MasterLube store on Grand Ave. The realistic black and white cowboy riding a wild bronc is set against a sunset-hued orange background. It was a challenge, Hannah said, moving from a small canvas to a much larger format.
Hannah was inspired to enter the design in contest after her sister did the 2022 Senior High mural. That painting is on the other side of the building.
“I saw her going through the whole process, and I’ve always been super inspired by her, and that’s why I wanted to do it,” Hannah said.
In addition to her artistic pursuits, Hannah is also a musician and plays the bassoon. She hasn’t decided a major yet and plans to attend University of Montana in Missoula..
“Art and music are my passions, and they are such an amazing outlet for me,” Hannah said.
Hannah’s parents, Gala and Brian Thompson, will be cheering her on no matter what career path she takes.

Billings Senior High Mural 2025

Anna Kim, Billings Central Catholic High Muralist 2025

Anna Kim – Billings Central Catholic High School

Anna Kim, a senior at Billings Central High School, was inspired by stained glass when she designed the mural on the wall at the Downtown MasterLube store. The mural shows a ram, Central High’s mascot, against a rising sun. Anna designed the mural with the intention of having help with the painting and recruited seven friends and her parents to help. She knew how much time and effort the mural would take because she helped paint the MasterLube mural last year.
“I knew I wanted to lean into stained glass because I wanted to include lots of bright colors,” Anna said.
Anna has been interested in art since she was young, and said she was nervous about the process because she hadn’t done much painting in the past. She prefers digital art.
“Digital art doesn’t make it easier, but it does make (art) more accessible,” Anna said. “It’s difficult in a different way.”
Anna plans to attend University of Notre Dame. She’s undecided in her major but plans to continue to pursue art as a hobby.
“I can’t imagine not making art,” she said. “It’s just such a big part of my life.”
Anna’s parents, Jennifer and David Kim, are her biggest supporters.

Billings Central Catholic High Mural 2025

Laira Larson, 2025 muralist from Lockwood High School

Laira Larson, Lockwood High School

After some encouragement from her parents and classmates, Laira Larson decided at the last minute to enter the mural contest. Her design shows a lion, Lockwood High’s mascot, standing on a cliff with the Rims in the background and the Yellowstone River in the foreground. The year, 2025, looks like boulders.
“I’m excited that Lockwood is getting a wall to paint this year,” Laira said. “I hope it goes over well, and we have more people interested in painting one in the future.”
Laira has always loved art, particularly ceramics and sculpture, and plans to continue to pursue art as a hobby and way to de-stress and relax.
Laira plans to attend Yale University in the fall, but she hasn’t decided her major yet. She’s interested in global affairs, ethics, and politics. On her visit to campus, Laira discovered that Yale has a vibrant art scene.
“I’m excited to find more artistic pursuits in college,” she said.
Laira is celebrating her graduation with her parents, Cari and Sloane Larson.

Lockwood High School Mural 2025

Caleb Stapley, 2025 muralist from Billings West High

Caleb Stapley – Billings West High School

Caleb Stapley, a junior at West High School, painted a mural on the King Avenue MasterLube store that depicts a big, gold bear splashing in water.
“For a lot of it, I looked to the real-life behavior of bears in their natural habitat, in rivers, fishing,” Caleb said. “I drew it out with colored pencil first.”
The design is like a “huge color-by-number painting” he added. The simplicity has provided an easy opportunity for Caleb’s friends to join him in the painting process.
“I’ve been drawing and doing watercolor since a very young age, and I’ve always loved it,” Caleb said, adding that people, animals, and the outside world have always inspired his art.
Caleb has plans for college and would like to pursue a degree in the sciences. He’s particularly interested in biology, chemistry, and physics. No matter what career Caleb chooses, art will always have a place in his life.
“A lot of my art has been encouraged by my mother,” Caleb said. “I’m inspired by her.”
Caleb’s parents are Danella and Ryan Stapley.

Billings West High Mural 2025

Emily Parker, 2025 muralist from Billings Skyview High

Emily Parker – Billings Skyview High School

When Emily Parker started thinking about her design for the Heights MasterLube store, she wanted to take the iconic Skyview mascot, the falcon, in a new direction and provide her classmates with a fun senior year activity. She painted falcon wings on the wall that are placed so someone can stand in front of the wall for a photo.
“It is something fun seniors can do in their cap and gown,” Emily said.
The wall includes a quote that says, “The time has flown but the memories last forever.”
Emily comes from a family of artists and has taken art classes throughout her school years. She sketched out her idea free-hand on the wall before painting it. The mural was the largest artistic undertaking she’s tackled.
“I wanted to make one last mark on Skyview as an artist,” Emily said.
After graduation, Emily said she plans on attending Montana State University Billings to study psychology and art. As a future therapist, she hopes to bring art into her practice.
Emily is celebrating her graduation with her parents Karie and Phillip Parker.

Billings Skyview High Mural 2025

Hollie Banks, 2025 muralist from Laurel High School

Hollie Banks – Laurel High School

When you pull onto 4th Street in Laurel, there’s no missing the giant purple and gold locomotive mural on the side of the Laurel MasterLube Store. It’s the handiwork of Hollie Banks, a senior at Laurel High School. She wanted to create an impact but recognized the challenges of painting such a large design on the rough surface.
“I tried to think of something simple,” Hollie said.
Hollie recruited her friends to help with the background and her sister helped paint the details.
Hollie has been passionate about art since she was in the second grade and has taken many art classes over the years. She loves digital art and also enjoys old-school pen and pencil drawing in her sketchbook as well.
Hollie is planning to attend Montana State University in Bozeman to study art education. She hopes to one day be an art teacher. Her parents, Jessica and Erik Banks, have been her biggest supporters throughout her education.

Laurel High School Mural 2025