Almanor Recreation and Park District (ARPD) has received a $15,000 grant from the Upstate California Creative Corps to fund the creation of two public murals at Almanor Park.
Local artist and Chester High School art teacher Hillary Edwards will lead the project. The grant covers all necessary supplies and provides a stipend for Edwards as the lead artist. Working alongside a team of high school art students and representatives from the Maidu Community, Edwards will design and paint the murals on large Connex containers situated near the new community garden in Almanor Park.
One mural will face the garden, highlighting the significance of a healthy lifestyle through outdoor activities, healthy eating, and community gardening. The second mural, facing the street and ballparks, will celebrate the rich history and culture of the community. In collaboration with the Maidu Summit community, Edwards will incorporate interpretive themes that reflect the natural and cultural features of the region, as well as the role of the Maidu in the area’s development. The artwork will also pay homage to the timber industry’s importance in the Almanor Basin.
Katrina Schneider, a core member of the Upstate California Creative Corps, emphasized the program’s unique approach of supporting smaller agencies and individual artists who may not have previously had access to funds and resources. Design work for the murals is already underway, and the painting will commence at the end of July, bringing vibrant public art to Almanor Park.
