Utility Cabinet Wrap Project
The HDLI Design Team, in partnership with Liberty North and Liberty High Schools, is hosting its fourth annual Utility Cabinet Wrap Design Competition in 2026. Students submit original artwork for consideration, and the community plays an active role by voting on the finalists.
This initiative celebrates the creativity of local high school students by transforming utility boxes into vibrant public art installations throughout the downtown area.
This project is made possible with funding support from the Liberty Arts Commission through its Mini Art Grant program and the Community Improvement District. For more information about the Commission’s Mini and Annual Art Grant Programs, click here.
2026 - Heritage Middle School
Harlee S. – Liberty North High School – Artist Statement: My design shows constellations commonly seen over liberty, turning the utility box into a peaceful and bright midnight scene. I added different colored butterflies and flowers to uplift the design and make it appealing to all ages. I wanted the design to have a lot of different elements while preventing it from being to cluttered to give it a magical and dreamy look.
2026 - Ruth Moore Park
Brooke J. – Liberty High School – Artist Statement: I had complete control over my creative choices, so it was difficult at first to figure out what I wanted to design. I was then informed that the utility box was next to a water park, which is how I decided to go with a beachy theme. Instead of people, I thought it would be fun to incorporate marine animals into my piece to make it more whimsical. The animals took on human roles, such as the dolphin bartender and the surfer turtle. One of the hardest things about designing this was connecting all the sides of the box smoothly. Of all the pieces I have designed, this one I spent the most time on and was the most dedicated to, so to see that I was chosen was really exciting. I hope that seeing this box makes your day a bit brighter!
2025 - Mill and Lightburne Streets
Adrian M. – Liberty North High School – Artist Statement: For my design I decided to put many flowers that can be found and are native to the state of Missouri and also by including the Missouri flower. I also put bugs that can be found in Missouri to that pollinate the flowers. I decided to do this design to brighten up the environment around a busy town and to give a colorful view with many different types of flowers.
2025 - Mill and Harrison Streets
Xlaysia. – Liberty High School – Artist Statement: Thanks to all of those who voted on my design, I’m happy to receive this award/recognition not only because I’m able to show my art to so many people in the liberty community but also because it’s a design I put my hard work into. I want to say thank you again to those who were in the voting process and as well as my graphic design teacher, as she motivates me and all of her students to make amazing work.
2024 - Mill and Gallatin Streets
Haley D. – Liberty North High School – Artist Statement: ``Through the Glass.`` The opening of the new aquarium is what inspired me throughout this piece. Being located by Franklin Elementary I looked through a child's perspective. I remember watching Finding Nemo as a child and took ideas from the film. I used textured brushes to imitate water, and strong blue tones to add liveliness to the green space it sits on. The different creatures were chosen to highlight some of the animals at the aquarium that people look forward to seeing.
2024 - Water and Franklin Streets
Vex W. – Liberty High School – Artist Statement: The drawing is of a dense forest, based entirely on the forest and nature I often see during nature walks here in Missouri. The inspiration was a hike I took in the late summer and early fall of last year, where a deer had been watching me and my mother right directly in front of us. I wanted to have a line between nature and human, with the deer and the viewer. I used a digital program to make the piece, specifically a program called Procreate.
2023 - Franklin and Water Streets
Ihor M. – Liberty North High School – Artist Statement: The first time I had such an idea was after watching a cartoon, in one of the series there was a frame where bright buildings were depicted against the background of the night sky. I thought it was a good idea for the design, there were also bright light bulbs which I also used. Then I found an illustration on the Internet that depicted houses made of different geometric shapes in different colors. Also adding a bit of my imagination and some details I created my design.
2023 - Main and Franklin Streets
Katy S. – Liberty North High School – Artist Statement: The reason why I chose to do a bookshelf was because books show knowledge and are very important to understand the world around us. Books take us to different worlds…in the past, in fantasy, no matter what, books perfectly represent Liberty. I decided to also incorporate references to Downtown Liberty as a little nod to the location. Cats were added mainly because I love cats, but also to show wonder, intelligence and independence.