By Ines Bebea
People get out of their car in front of the mural on Pepperbelly’s on Jackson Street in Fairfield. (Mike McCoy/Daily Republic)
FAIRFIELD - Cathy McClelland, an artist whose work ranges from magical themes to jungles, deserts and animals, was selected Thursday to paint the second mural in downtown Fairfield.
McClelland was one of two finalists who submitted proposals to the Fairfield Mural Project. The former Fairfield resident is a full-time artist who now lives near Lake Tahoe. The other finalist was Laura Napier, a teacher from Vacaville.
"It was really a hard decision to make, given that both artists presented great work," Cynthia Garcia, management analyst with the city's Economic Development Division and coordinator of the Fairfield Mural Project, said Thursday. "Cathy's submission really appealed to the committee and it really represented our theme."
The Mural Project is a joint effort by the Rotary Club of Fairfield-Suisun, the Fairfield Downtown Business Association, the Fairfield Visual Arts Association and the city of Fairfield. The first mural, which was commissioned in 2005 and created by Lee Wilder-Snider, can be seen on the building on the southeast corner of Texas and Jackson streets, which is now home to the comedy club Pepperbelly's.
Garcia said that McClelland's proposal included a request for additional wall space. The initial plan was for the mural on the southeast corner of Texas and Webster streets to be 20-feet-tall and 19-feet-wide. With McClelland's proposed expansion, the mural will be three times larger and cost an additional $5,000. The original $10,000 donation was made by Citation Northern.
"Citation Northern donated the entire amount for the initial cost," Garcia said. "We will ask other businesses and organizations to help us raise the money. Arlene Reynolds, the building owner, has already donated $500."
A Citation Northern executive said the company sees its contribution has another investment in Fairfield.
"This was another way for us to invest in a community that we are building in," said Cari Cheney, vice president of operations for Citation Northern, which is now building the Aria community in Fairfield and recently completed the Turnstone community in Green Valley.
According to Garcia, anyone who donates $500 or more will have their named engraved on the plaque that will be placed near the mural.
Reach Ines Bebea at 427-6934 or ibebea@dailyrepublic.net.
