Ukiah History Mural Fund

This is the most epic mural of my career, a four-year project depicting the history of our northern California region on the north wall of the Ukiah Valley Conference Center.

• To see the mural visit www.historymural.com

The opportunity grew from local interest and donations collected by Art Center Ukiah. The Arts Council of Mendocino County doubled the money with a matching Local Impact Grant from the California Arts Council . This program fosters equity, access, and opportunity. After winning the competition, my part would be $11,000.

This is awesome and I am grateful. The mural is a career crown jewel and uses my constellation of talents:

* painting the figure, landscape, architecture and decorative patterns with a subtle palette

* historical research

* interacting with the public

* and writing about it!

I chose to make the most of this huge wall by filling it with stories, portraits, buildings, hills and valleys, plants and animals. Who knew at the beginning that there would be so many stars in this show? That's written with a smile. I love the expansion of each subject as I start a new panel. But, given the breadth of what is possible, the original $11K stretches thin over four years' painting and subsequent work on access and exposure. Members of the public who love what I'm doing have encouraged me to set up this fund so they can contribute. 

Any amount is appreciated.

The fund will help me pay my bills as I create and publicize this story in pictures. The 26 scenes of the mural are FOR all of us and ABOUT all of us.

Interacting with the public is one of the coolest things about this project. Art is usually solitary work, but here you are all around me. Members of the community have already done so much: given me ideas and crucial source material, brought me cold water on 100* days, as well as pastries, veggies, juice, salmon and sushi.

Not to mention the sea of compliments I enjoyed every day.

Plus, you pose for me and I get to paint your portraits in the scenes. This is all enough!

But if you feel like contributing a little or a lot, I will appreciate that so much too.

This latest appeal in late 2024 will help pay for the work and permit fee for the mural's INTERPRETIVE PLAQUES. We need viewers to know your names!

Thank you!