Have you noticed all the new utility boxes being painted with beautiful mural designs in Yuba City? Two years ago, Yuba Sutter Arts (YSA) introduced the “Cover It!” 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 has been no shortage of great ideas for mini-mural subjects ranging from our ethnic diversity, our agricultural heritage, our Veteran community, the natural beauty of Yuba-Sutter and more.
Jeremy Padilla 
Lisa Sines 
Lori Moye 
Madelyne Templeton 
Miranda Norris
As a result of an ongoing collaboration with the City of Yuba City, YSA was able to contract for twelve additional murals with nine different artists. Each utility box is owned by the City and protects traffic signal equipment.
Here’s the list of the new locations along with the title and artist name:
- Town Square Plumas Blvd. & C Street – “This Land is Your Land” by Lisa Sines
- Gray Avenue at Louise Avenue – “Equal Dot Bracket” by Jeremy Padilla
- Stabler Lane at Poole Blvd. – “Land of the Free Because of the Brave” by Lori Moye
- Butte House Road at Civic Center Blvd. – “Maidu Woman” by Madelyne Templeton
- Stabler Lane at Queens Avenue – “Yuba-Sutter Proud” by Miranda Norris
- N. Walton Avenue at Sam’s Club – “Rabbits and Flowers” by Madelyne Templeton
- Butte House Road at Harter Parkway – “Flying High” by Rodney Herrera
- Gray Avenue at Ainsley Avenue – “Thank You to Our Veterans” by Abbie Cesena
- Butte House Road at Tharp Road – “Woman with Peaches” by Alondra Bains
- Butte House Road at Yuba Plaza – “A Different Perspective” by Alondra Bains
- Harter Parkway at Colusa Frontage – “Blue Herons” by Alexandra Sprowls and the RVHS Art Club
- Gray Avenue at Queens Avenue – “Cactus” by Madelyne Templeton
A few of these are still under development so please be patient. The designs were chosen by a committee of Yuba City Staff and community members from submissions received by an open Call to Artists. About 50 different concepts were received for consideration.
“When we started this project, we had no idea how popular these little murals would become,” said David Read, Yuba Sutter Arts Executive Director. “The City of Yuba City has been a great partner, and this just goes to show the power of public art as a real game-changer in a community,” he added.
The “Cover It!” Utility Box Mini-Mural Project started with the Art, Wine & Wickets joint fundraiser with the Rotary Club of Yuba City and Yuba Sutter Arts. The money raised helped to cover the cost of the first few boxes.
The mural project will continue to enhance the aesthetics of Yuba-Sutter, promote civic pride, increase pedestrian traffic and extend the reach of public art 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, in the future, other public infrastructure.
For additional information contact Yuba Sutter Arts at 530-742-ARTS or david@yubasutterarts.org.