Maple Avenue Mural Project Fundraiser a Success

Over $1,000 was raised at the fundraising event for the Maple Avenue Mural Project in Santa Rosa at the Arts Council on August 7, 2010. 

The Mural Project is a way to beautify the Burbank Gardens Neighborhood near Highway 12 and Santa Rosa Avenue.  To do so, an art design capturing the uniqueness of the neighborhood was chosen.  The mural design portrays several of the more prominent plant species developed by Luther Burbank and found in the Burbank Gardens.  The mural is almost 600 ft. long, the longest mural in Northern California and the third longest in the state.

Wine and cheese was donated by GoLocal member Oliver’s Market, and pizza was provided by La Vera’s Pizza.

Historian Rebecca Baker from the Luther Burbank Home & Garden gave an interesting presentation on the life of Luther Burbank, including slides of paintings by Frida Kahlo and of the San Francisco mural "Allegory of California" by Diego Rivera which featured Burbank.

Internationally known artist Jet Martinez was on hand with two student artists, Xochitl Tlatilpa and Amelia Khoupradit, and he spoke briefly about the process of selecting the 25 Burbank plant varieties included in the mural, the painting of details of the silhouettes, and the mounting of the panels at the site.  Two actual mural panels were on display.

An evening of history, fun and fundraising, guests and artists mingled and celebrated this groundbreaking community mural project.

The Project is sponsored in part by the GoLocal Cooperative, the City of Santa Rosa, and the Arts Council of Sonoma County.  For more information and pictures, visit our Facebook page: Maple Avenue Mural Project, or contact Maria at mariahalyna@gmail.com.