Essential workers mural dedication set for Friday
A new mural in downtown Lakeport recognizing essential workers will be dedicated on Friday, July 1. The ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. at 120 N. Main Street, home of the Meals on Wheels Thrift Store.
Conceived as a gift to the community, the mural project was coordinated by the Lake County Arts Council (LCAC) in collaboration with the City of Lakeport, Lake Family Resource Center, Lake County Rural Arts Initiative, Lakeport Main Street Association and others.
“The COVID pandemic hit our community hard in so many ways,” said Lakeport Mayor Pro Tem Mireya Turner, a leader in the effort to express appreciation for the service, strength and fortitude of our local essential workers.
“Some of us were able to shelter in place, while others could not do so because we depended on them to keep our economy and community moving. Many of us left home every day to keep our supermarkets open, our gas stations operating, to treat our sick, make deliveries, and harvest our gardens, orchards and vineyards.
“Now is the perfect time for our community to come together and express gratitude to our residents who gave so much of themselves to help us through this pandemic,” said Turner.
Local artists responded to the call for proposals which were then evaluated by a panel representing the sponsors. Four designs were made available for online voting by essential workers to select the winning design and artist.
Emma Wakefield of Loch Lomond, a recent graduate of San Francisco State University in studio art, was chosen to paint her depiction of a young boy sleeping under a large quilt which contains patches with images of essential workers. Shown in the mural are firefighters, doctors, farmers, construction workers, teachers, police officers, nurses and others. Her concept represents these workers “protecting and nurturing future generations, keeping us and our children safe,” she stated in her proposal.
Funds to support the artist's labor and materials were solicited from the community to “support this mural project to recognize our friends, neighbors and family members who, through their actions, kept us strong through the pandemic,” stated Barbara Clark, executive director of the Lake County Arts Council. “All funds collected are being used for the mural and related expenses. Any excess funds will be retained for the next public mural project.”
More than one-half of the $8,000 goal for the mural project has been reached with contributions from Lake County Rural Arts Initiative, Laurie Dohring, Keeling-Barnes Family Foundation, Timothy Coffey, John Brosnan, Olga Martin Steele, Annelle Durham and Green Blog Design.
Tax-deductible, charitable donations may be made to the Lake County Arts Council at https:// lakearts.org/essentialworker-appreciation-mural-project/ to support the mural.
The community is invited to the dedication ceremony, followed by the monthly First Friday Fling at the LCAC Main Street Gallery, 325 N. Main Street, at 5:30 p.m., and the summer concert in Library Park at 6:30 p.m.