Escondido Public Art Commission, in collaboration with Neighborhood Healthcare, Saturday afternoon unveiled six new murals by local artists on the back wall of the Escondido Neighborhood Healthcare building.
Including the addition of the six murals, Escondido Art Gallery has created 80 murals, which can be seen all over the city. The unveiling coincides with April’s Art Culture and Creativity Month, when the city embraces art and culture throughout the month, showcasing local artists.
The unveiling was attended by members of the city council, including Mayor Dane White, and the office of Fifth District Supervisor Jim Desmond. The former Mayor of Escondido, Ernie Cowan, served as Master of Ceremonies for the event. Refreshments and beverages were provided by The Grand Tea Room.
Cowan, who is also a well-known nature writer, recognized several individuals who were vital to the creation of the murals, whose themes were nature. He also commented on the importance of art for the public.
Cowan explained, “There are studies within law enforcement that prove that the paintings on mailboxes and utility boxes, fire hydrants, and things like that elevate the community. There is less graffiti and less crime, so that in itself is a very significant indication of the value and the power of art in the community.”
Cowan noted that the project of adding art to mundane alley walls, concrete barriers, and more began in Escondido in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when concrete blocks were added to Grand Avenue to protect guests who were dining outside of restaurants. Suzanne Nicolaisen and other artists painted the barriers. This project earned Escondido the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence.
Nicolaisen and other artists then formed Escondido Alley Art, continuing to beautify the city by painting murals on several walls in Escondido.
A public call was conducted for the latest murals. The Public Art Commission received 44 submissions.
The six chosen were:
- Laura Green – “Nature Watching”
- Berthis Myers – “Coyote”
- Joanne Sullivan – “Wildlife in the Poppies”
- Katie Furrow – “Aspire”
- Andres Marin – “Tunas Doradas”
- LaRetta Small-Zamora – “California Dreaming”
Each artist received special recognition by the Mayor of Escondido, and a formal ribbon-cutting took place in front of the murals.
Neighborhood Healthcare paid to repair the wall where the murals were placed and will continue to pay for maintenance and lighting for the art. The Public Arts Commission funded the art project itself.
Information about the artists and their paintings can be found at:
https://escoalleyart.com/murals/