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Council approves downtown mural design for Zara’s Boutique wall
Summary
The Lafayette City Council unanimously approved a mural design by artist Rachel Pearls for the west‑facing wall of Zara’s Boutique on Mount Diablo Boulevard and authorized the Public Art Committee to move forward with contracts; the project is the first of four murals funded in a prior council budget authorization.
Lafayette — The City Council unanimously approved Sept. 8 the first mural in the Lafayette Downtown Mural Program, a floral design by artist Rachel Pearls to be painted on the west‑facing wall of Zara’s Boutique on Mount Diablo Boulevard.
Public Art Committee chair Jenny Rosen and ABG Art Group consultant Sorrell presented the mural design, explained the selection process and described community outreach that included a public workshop and conversations with the property owner. The mural committee retained ABG as a consultant, ran an artist call, shortlisted candidates and used community input to select the design, which the committee said will be a painterly botanical composition featuring the California metallia poppy.
Council action and timeline: Council voted unanimously to approve the artist’s design and the necessary agreements; the committee said it anticipates the artist can begin painting by the end of the month, weather permitting. The project involves a hand‑painted mural on a large west‑facing wall and will wrap into a small inset portion of the façade; the committee and artist adapted the design to the wall’s surface and small relief features.
Funding and partners: The mural is part of a council‑approved program to install four murals downtown; the Public Art Committee retained ABG Art Group as a consultant and worked with the property owner Julie Dunham and artist Rachel Pearls on contracts.
Ending: Council members praised the Public Art Committee, ABG and the property owner for the long planning process and voter approval of prior budget authority that funded the mural program; no city appropriation beyond the existing authorization was requested at the meeting.
