Downtown Casselton just got a little more colorful — and a lot more “Casselton.” A brand-new hand painted mural now welcomes residents and visitors with bold colorful numbers that hold deep meaning: 58012, our hometown zip code.

Painted by Lauren Starling of Starling Artistry, the mural is located on the north-facing wall of the Rivers Edge Development building. With vibrant style and striking visibility, it instantly became a photo-worthy spot and a symbol of local pride.

Bringing 58012 to Life

The idea for the mural came from the Casselton Public Art Task Force, a volunteer group committed to bringing public art to Casselton to build community connection, promote placemaking, and showcase local creativity. This is the second mural sponsored by the task force, following the popular Home Sweet Casselton Home mural unveiled last year.

“This mural has been in the back of our minds since Lauren first shared the 58012 concept with us during the early days of our public art efforts,” said Cassandra Grenz, who worked with Lauren on the design for the 58012 mural. “We were so excited to partner with her and bring it to life downtown. It’s simple, strong, and meaningful. It’s our community’s signature — and now, it’s written in color for the world to see.”

Work on the 58012 mural began over the July 4th holiday weekend (2025), during one of the hottest stretches of the summer. Artist Lauren Starling worked through sweltering daytime temps, returning in the evenings and weekends to bring the piece to life layer by layer. Her dedication to the project was matched by community curiosity — residents often stopped by to see the progress, snap photos, or simply cheer her on.

Even before the final brushstrokes were applied, the mural began making its mark. Locals started posing in front of it, sharing it online, and expressing how much they loved seeing Casselton represented in art.

A Community-Funded Vision

The mural was made possible entirely through local support — a reflection of the strong civic spirit that runs through Casselton. Funding came from multiple sources, including:

• Community donations
• A grant from the North Dakota Council on the Arts
• Gaming funds from Casselton Park Board and Dusty’s Bar & Grill
• Casselton sales tax funding allocated by the City of Casselton

And of course, a big thanks goes to Rivers Edge Development for generously allowing their building to become the canvas for this iconic new mural.

You’re Invited: Celebrate with Us at 58012 & Brew

To officially celebrate the completion of the mural, the community is invited to a special 58012 & Brew event on Monday, August 11, 2025 from  6:30–9:30 AM in the TruCore Parking Lot (across from the mural).

Enjoy a hot (or iced!) coffee from Jungle Java Coffee Cart, grab a breakfast treat from Percy's Place and Jo's Treats, and take in the mural at the best time of day — sunrise over 58012. The coffee cart will stay past 9:30 AM if the crowd keeps coming, so swing by when you can!

While you’re there, snap a photo in front of the mural and share it on social with #58012.

Why Public Art Matters

Public art projects like the 58012 mural are about more than beautifying a wall. They create pride in place. They give us landmarks that feel personal. They offer moments of surprise, connection, and joy — sometimes with just a glance.

Casselton Public Art Task Force believes that art belongs to everyone, and that creativity can be a tool for building stronger, more vibrant communities. Thanks to your support, we’ve now added another meaningful piece to Casselton’s landscape.

So the next time you’re downtown, stop and take in the mural. Share it. Celebrate it. And remember — the heart of 58012 isn’t just in the numbers. It’s in the people who call this place home.

(Photos courtesy of Lauren Starling)