Have you ever noticed the utility boxes in some communities and neighborhoods and how they have been painted with scenic and interesting designs? Sacramento, Davis, and many Bay area and Southern California cities have started utility box mural programs. The mini-murals are seen as a way to help beautify a community.
Yuba Sutter Arts is introducing “Cover It!” A Utility Box Mini-Mural Project as part of its arts everywhere initiative. The “Cover It!” program is designed to support art in public places and to enhance neighborhoods through the creation of these mini-murals. With the tremendous artistic talent in Yuba-Sutter, there will be no shortage of great ideas for mini-mural subjects ranging from local Native American heritage and history, our agricultural leadership, our Veteran community, our cultural diversity, the natural beauty of Yuba-Sutter and so much more.
Yuba Sutter Arts is asking businesses, organizations and individuals to get involved. What can you do? Consider adopting or sponsoring a box. Suggest a location for a mini-mural. Make a suggestion on what to paint on a box. Submit an application to be an artist. Attend the Cover It! kick-off event called Art, Wine & Wickets on April 29th which is a joint fundraiser for the project put on by the Rotary Club of Yuba City and Yuba Sutter Arts. Consider becoming an Art, Wine & Wickets sponsor.
The Marysville City Council recently passed a resolution adopting an “Art in Public Places Program.” The resolution specifically mentions the Control Box Art Program. Marysville Councilman and Yuba Sutter Arts Board Member, Christopher Pedigo, put forth the resolution. He felt that the program would help the City reduce graffiti and add visual interest to the public landscape by adding artwork to traffic signal control boxes owned by the City of Marysville. Yuba Sutter Arts was chosen as the City’s partner agency for the project.
The “Cover It!” Utility Box Mural Project will enhance the aesthetics of Yuba-Sutter, promote civic pride, increase pedestrian traffic and extend public art to new areas and unexpected places while creating an attractive environment and allowing art to be introduced to the public in a creative and inventive way. The program goal is to bring beauty to unexpected places such as utility boxes and other public infrastructure.
For additional information contact Yuba Sutter Arts at 530-742-ARTS or david@yubasutterarts.org.