Downtown Murals & Gateways

CalTrans Clean California Initiative:
Mariposa Gateway and Mural Project

The County of Mariposa is working with CalTrans as part of their Clean CA initiative for a new public art project. Located in the town of Mariposa, this project entails two gateway features located at the southern and northern intersections of Highway 140 and Highway 49 and two murals. 

The project team, Ink Dwell Studios, Atlas Lab and Prevost and Prichard, artists, designers and engineers contracted by the County – are exploring themes that reflect Mariposans’ relationship with the natural landscapes and cultural stories that are significant to the identity of our community.

The Arts Council facilitated opportunities for public input on the project’s early design concepts between Jan 17 – Feb. 18, 2023, and received over 200 responses from community members and stakeholders. Data collected during this process helped the project artists and design team refine their final designs, which were formally approved and adopted by Mariposa County in June 2023. Installation for this project will take place through 2024.


Questions about this project and process?


Final Designs

As recommended by the Mariposa County Creative Placemaking Strategy, the mural and gateway concepts examine unique facets of the county’s native ecological systems and the connections between people and place. These designs intentionally acknowledge and honor the Southern Sierra Miwuk people of Mariposa, California, and support the continued activation and restoration of Mariposa Creek as an area of significant cultural and ecological importance.

Murals


Project Details

Installation Site Map

Stakeholder Engagement Process

Between Jan. 18 – Feb. 17, 2023, the Arts Council provided a series of stakeholder engagement opportunities through which the public was invited to explore early design concepts, discuss ideas with project team members and offer feedback. In addition to an open online survey and standing exhibitions at the Mariposa Arts Council and the Mariposa County Library, the stakeholder series included the following in-person events:

  • Miwumati Healing Center – January 25 (specific for tribal stakeholder engagement)
  • Mariposa County Library – Community Conversation on February 9
  • Sticks Coffee – Saturday, February 4, 9:00-11:30 AM
  • Pioneer Market – Saturday, February 4, 1-4 PM
  • The Grove House – Thursday, February 2, 5-7 PM
  • The Alley – Tuesday, February 7, 5-7 PM

This process can be explored in the summarized report below:

Connection to Creek Parkway + Creative Placemaking

Partners and Project Roles