A vibrant and colorful mural is coming to life outside the Redwood City Public Library this week, and the community is invited to contribute-- no painting experience necessary! During the weeklong, Collaborate, Construct, Create Community! Project, anyone in Redwood City can paint part of a 20-foot mural installation in front of the Downtown Library.
The mural is meant to be a growing visual representation of the Redwood City community, funded by a grant from the Redwood City Arts Commission.
Those interested in contributing can do so at the last public session on Saturday.
Redwood City Librarian Pam Evans came up with the idea for a public art installation as a way for the library to engage the Redwood City community. She was at the center of the action on Wednesday's public painting session.
"We've got little kids who are just globbing paint on, there are a couple of teenagers here today who have been here for several hours, putting in time and attention to detail. Some people are here for five minutes and some people are here for hours," said Evans."It makes me happy to see."
Evans teamed up with local fine artist Richard Art Felix to make the project happen. Felix has overseen similar public mural projects at events around the Bay Area, including Treasure Island Music Festival, San Jose Jazz Festival and more. It's part of his ongoing public art project, "Everybody Can Paint."
"Often people have so much to say, and no place to say it, and that inspires me," said Felix. "It's a mission about empowering, igniting and instigating the creative spirit in everybody."
The mural wall is repurposed from Felix's previous public art installations and will be taken down and repurposed again after painting session have concluded. Even though the art itself is temporary, the library plans to photograph the art and use the community's designs for library merchandise and bookmarks.
It's not too late to take part in the art. You're invited to the Downtown Library's last public painting session on Saturday, April 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A closing celebration will be held after the session until 4:30 p.m. All ages and skill levels are welcome!
The Downtown Library is located at 1044 Middlefield Rd. in Redwood City. Call (650) 780-7018 or email rclinfo@redwoodcity.org for more info or learn more here.
