In the early 2000’s, the City of Vista launched a new project to help enhance the beauty and vibrancy of Vista and to deter graffiti on utility boxes. Vista in Bloom is a utility box mural project sponsored by the City of Vista and the Vista Public Arts Commission. This year alone, 31 utility boxes have been painted by volunteers across Vista and more applications are coming in to the City.
The City is recruiting additional volunteers willing to spruce up the unpainted utility boxes in Vista, in an effort to help beautify and improve the aesthetics of the city.
“Public art is big in Vista and this is a collaborative approach to get the community involved in expressing their imagination and in helping to beautify Vista,” said Therron Dieckmann,
Director of Vista’s Recreation & Community Services. “This is a great volunteer opportunity to get involved in enhancing the city. You don’t have to be an artist to paint a box.”
Volunteers should submit their applications to the Recreation and Community Services Department. The Public Arts Commission reviews each artist’s submissions and selects the location to paint the utility boxes.
The unpainted utility boxes are located throughout the city. Volunteer artists are provided a $100 stipend from the city, which is to be used to cover the costs of and painting their artwork.
“We hope applicants will feel a sense of pride and ownership after taking part and contributing to the beautification of the neighborhoods with the murals,” explains Dieckmann.
“Beautifying a plain utility box is another way to inspire adults and children to participate in our Vista arts program. In addition, the murals will also help eliminate the graffiti that negatively impacts cities.”
For more information the public should visit vistapublicart.com for an application, or email vistapublicart.com, or call 760.639.6151 for more information.
