Arts Los Altos organized a Community Mural Event which included a 100-person sold-out street art workshop, food truck and DJ on Saturday, September 23, 2023.

San Francisco muralist Cameron Moberg was commissioned by Arts Los Altos due to his extensive experience with group murals through his organization,“Talking Walls.” Prior to the event he prepped and painted the large brick wall with his design. Moberg started the mural on the left side with a VW bug inspired by his own vintage car. He then painted the shapes at the top of the mural where it would be unsafe for community painters to reach.

On the event day, workshop participants were divided into four groups with staggered start times. In an effort to continue to foster strong community connections, Arts Los Altos reached out to High Schools in the Mountain View-Los Altos area encouraging interested students to participate at a discounted rate. About seventy percent of participants were high school students. Each group first donned protective gear and got a brief history of the evolution of street art from Moberg. The groups then progressed to learning how to use spray paint to create line width, shapes and patterns on a practice wall. Participants were then ready to paint a portion of the large mural wall. At the last station, each person stenciled their own souvenir tote bag with spray paint.

Although the mural outlines were provided, this was not a paint by number project. Each participant chose their own colors and spot to paint and was able to add their creative touch to a designated area. The effect is dazzling. Each section of the mural is unique. This new Arts Los Altos installation demonstrates how, by working together, many community members transformed a drab wall into a showpiece.