Local artist re-imagines original Pocatello Reel Theatre Mural into bright new artwork

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Residents driving past the Pocatello Reel Theatre may have not noticed it was there, it was a simple white building with a piece of artwork on one side. Now, local artist Nick Hottmann is transforming the Pocatello hotspot into a piece of art with giant murals covering the sides of the building.

Hottmann said Sandra, owner of The Reel Theatre, was interested in getting the business painted by a local artist. The residents know the theatre to have a small, well-loved mural on one side of the building. The original mural was done by teenage employees of the theatre, featuring a film reel, popcorn bucket and candy.

When Hottmann set out to re-vamp the outside of the building, he and Sandra agreed to protect the integrity of the original mural, adding plenty of nods to the historic piece.

"I love the reel theatre," Hottmann said. "I grew up in Michigan and we had a local theater like this where it was originally one and split into two. I just get a lot of good hometown vibes from this place."

Each part of the new mural is intentional, including mixing specific colors that all stem from the iconic pink and teal of the Reel Theatre's logo. The artist also got permission from Pepsi to use their logo with accurate colors.

"The other side has never been painted before, so it's a whole new area to work on," Hottmann said. "It's going to be a poster theme."

The posters on that wall will include a zombie hand for "Reel Chills," two hands making a heart for "Reel Love" and a cowboy riding a horse for "Reel Adventure." The mural will stay true to the 50's theme of the entire project.

"This way, you know it's a movie theater," Hottmann explained. "Previously, it was just a big white building and you didn't realize it was a theater until you drove past it. So, we're hoping to get a bit more attention and draw some business with the art."

The walls are essentially a massive canvas for Hartmann, who hand-brushed the entire piece. It began with sketches and then drawing the design out on the wall itself. The artist says to stay in school, because his geometry and math skills have helped him scale his artwork onto large spaces.

"Depending on the complexity, sometimes I'll bring a projector out," he said. "But it's a lot of math. It's all rulers to make those lines straight and obviously a lot comes with experience. I've done a lot of lettering over the years."

With 20-plus years of painting things by hand, Hottmann says he's comfortable freehanding letters. When he was a budding artist in town, he said he spent hours taping before painting. Turns out, it was extra steps, time and money he didn't need to spend.

"I learned really well how to have a steady hand, using markers, chalk, pencils, whatever you can get your hands on," Hottmann said. "And then cutting it out and finding a good paintbrush to cut in all the edges."

With projects like The Reel Theatre, Hottmann said it isn't about the commission he will earn from creating the artwork, it's the joy that comes from both the painting process and the product the community will get to enjoy.

"It's been really fun to see the little kids in particular pull up and think it's really cool," he said. "I get a lot of beeps and drive-bys, people stopping and giving me a thumbs up and that feels really good because that means people are enjoying it."

The community has already embraced the new murals on Facebook and in-person. The Reel Theatre has been a staple in the community since its founding as the "Crest Theatre" in 1949. Hottmann's project is breathing new life into an old building.

"To me, it's like having the people be happy, that's the reward for me,"

-Nick Hottmann, Artist

The far side of the building will be completed within the next week, weather conditions permitting. Hottmann says he's moving to mostly indoor projects next, as the weather turns colder.

Hottmann's artwork is well-known and loved in the community for its punchy, graphic and colorful style with clean lines. If you'd like to contact Hottmann to commission a piece, he is on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok at Nick Hottmann Art.