When you visit the underground bar in the newly renovated LOGE Glacier National Park in Essex, Montana, don’t forget to look up. Western Sensibility, a Missoula, Montana-based surface design and printing company, recently brought their unique creative skills to the bar’s ceiling, creating a custom mural for the reimagination of the historic property.
We talked with Kathryn Sanders, founder and CEO of Western Sensibility, about how the project originated, what inspiration they drew on for the design, and their production considerations as they created this eye-catching work of art.
All images courtesy of Shelsi Lindquist.
How did this project start?
Kathryn Sanders: LOGE Creative Director Aaron Ricchio reached out to us to create a custom ceiling mural for their LOGE Glacier National Park property. In addition to the creative services that we were brought on to provide — from ideation and concepting to artwork development — LOGE wanted a sustainable solution to echo their brand values and commitment to the environment. The team on this important project also included Vida Design, Gavin Hanks Architecture, and EVCO Development.
LOGE came to us specifically with the ceiling mural concept, which was a fun opportunity for us since the installation carries through the entire space. The ceiling mural acts as a guiding light, helping to draw the eye up to take in the full room, which is especially important in an underground space.
How did you develop the idea of printing the ceiling mural on wallcoverings?
Texture is an element that we always bring up early in conversation with our clients. For hospitality projects especially, our goal is to always emulate a residential feel, and an emboldened texture helps us bring a richness to the space that flat media or shiny vinyls don’t provide.
How did you select your production equipment and substrate?
We love using our Roland DG TrueVIS LG-640 wide-format UV printer for these types of installations. The technology is truly built for creative projects where longevity is key. With Roland DG’s machinery and ink sets, we can push for an expanded color gamut and exceed our clients’ expectations in terms of color, vibrancy, and tone.
One of the best things about the LG-640 UV is its ability to consistently deliver accurate true-to-artwork results. It’s a high-quality, reliable production tool that allows us to achieve strong results in print clarity and color definition.
Our choice of material also enhanced sustainability goals for LOGE Glacier National Park. We printed the mural on our Crepe Woven Wallcovering substrate. Engineered in-house, this substrate is a true textile constructed wallcovering, which is much more sustainable than other, more traditional substrates.
What were the challenges in producing this mural?
It’s not our largest project to date, but it is unique in that creating a ceiling mural requires more attention and planning due to the artwork inversion, unlike what’s required in typical wall installations.
Did LOGE Glacier National Park’s team provide the artwork for this project?
When we first met with the team at LOGE, they knew they wanted a ceiling mural, but they asked us to present creative concepts, develop the artwork, and print the project. As with all of our projects, we worked collaboratively to create something one-of-a-kind that not only fit the space but also fit the LOGE brand as a whole.
How has the project been received?
We’re proud to share that we got great feedback from our client. With LOGE in particular, it’s always a joy for us when the client is equally driven by sustainability, committed to a shared creative vision, and collaborative process.
With LOGE Glacier National Park having recently opened, it’s been wonderful to see the community interact with the space, especially since it’s the reimagination of a historic Montana property. Additionally, it’s always fun seeing guests share their experience on social media.