The Gratitude Carries On

Hello Friends, Neighbors, Donors, and Painters,

As of Monday, we are finally finished washing brushes and moving our paint operation into winter storage.  Reflecting on our painting extravaganza, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all the people who brought their gifts to our mural -- on our big paint weekend AND over the many months preceding it.  Your energy, artistic skill, kindness, and willingness to lend a hand -- again and again -- are what makes such an enormous & complex piece of art possible.  Thank you!

As we add up the numbers, we've realized we had more than 450 volunteers participate in the mural installation.  Wow.

THANK YOU for YOUR contribution to Paint the Street.  Thank you for those who helped before the event -- and after -- with set-up and clean-up.  Thank you for those who marked and measured, swept & washed, chalked gridlines, drew, mixed paint, set up barricades, greeted volunteers, carried paint, sang and danced, organized supplies, wrote, and took pictures.

Elemental Pathway, Wind to Earth, Aerial View. Photo: John Zibell

Thank you to those who painted.  Thank you to those who shared stories from your lives and your cultures. Thank you to those who saved the day, running to get last-minute supplies like bagels, white paint, plastic bags, soap, and pressure washers.

Thank you for the forgotten tasks that I've failed to mention, simply because it's difficult to keep track of all the miracles of cooperation that happen when hundreds of people work together towards a common goal.

Elemental Pathway, Fire to River, Aerial View. Photo: John Zibell

This project would not have been possible without the early and enthusiastic support of the City of Davis, as well as the California Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Their kindness has allowed our imaginations and hearts to grow, as we created a new "heart" for our north Davis village.

Thank you to those who donated, from $2 to $4000, to cover the costs of the expanded project, including that enormous dragon cul-de-sac.

Elemental Cul-de-Sac, Aerial View, Photo: John Zibell

The cul-de-sac dragon would have been IMPOSSIBLE without the generous support of  Asphalt Impressions, Dos Coyotes,  West Yost Associates, Chickpeas, and the Good Scoop, as well as donations from over 100 individuals.  Live music was organized the Davis Waldorf School.

Helping hands who donated time, space, and/or equipment included: Amber Manfree Cartography; Bucio's Roofing; Atria Covell Gardens; City of Davis Public Works & Police Departments; Davis Manor Neighborhood Council; Davis Media Access; Dos Pinos Housing Cooperative; Elite Roofing Supply; Fabulous Musicians; John Zibell Photography; and Tandem Properties

Delicious food for volunteers provided by: Chickpeas Kitchen, Davis Food Co-op, the Good Scoop, Grocery Outlet, Noah’s Bagels, Peet’s Coffee, and Taqueria Guadalajara.

The design was created by myself, Danielle Fodor, with assistant Judy Catambay, supporting artists Carlea Warren-Rossi & Josiah Lopez, and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, based on input from 150 residents.  The event (with those amazing 450 painters) would have been impossible without the dedicated heavy lifting for MONTHS of the Creative Action Team: Raychel Kubby Adler, Juliette Beck, Nick Buxton, Judy Catambay, Gina Gemignani, Meg Gurley, Dolly Hamilton, Sarah Keith, Josiah Lopez, Sarah Mandel, Christine McCrory, Leonie Pickett, Stephanie Schoen, Jenny Tom, Carlea Warren-Rossi and the support of many skilled artists who volunteered their time.

Artist Drucella Miranda leads installation of Yocha Dehe Wintun design at east entrance to mural. Photo: Nick Buxton

With an open heart and much gratitude,

danielle