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Commission approves Sherman Avenue garage mural but asks artist to revisit wording and typeface
Summary
The Public Art Commission approved a one-year temporary mural for the Sherman Avenue parking garage but asked the artist to reconsider prominent wording and the chosen typeface after commissioners and a local resident raised concerns over tone, accessibility and perceived political resonance.
The Palo Alto Public Art Commission voted June 18 to approve a temporary mural for the Sherman Avenue parking garage while directing the artist to revise certain design elements, notably the large textual treatment and typeface.
Staff presented the design, explaining the mural—by an artist referred to in the packet as Philip—uses a painted-lady butterfly as a metaphor for transformation. The proposed pieces will occupy two central squares on the garage facade; staff said the installation would be temporary and repeated annually so future artists can be featured.
Several commissioners and an online resident speaker told the commission the mural’s phrase 'Everything changes' and a bold, blocky font could be read as tone-deaf amid local conversations about change, or be visually or emotionally jarring for some viewers. One commissioner described the lettering as resembling a “ransom font” and another raised accessibility concerns for people with low vision.
Commissioner feedback emphasized preserving the artist’s voice while recommending the artist re-evaluate the lettering and typeface for greater accessibility and sensitivity to local context. The commission voted by roll call: Commissioners Joshi, Stern, Mallory, Smith and the Chair voted to approve with feedback; Commissioners Tran and de la Garza voted no. The motion carried.
Staff will forward the recorded comments to the artist and may request revised design files before final production. The mural installation hardware was described as standardized to allow annual rotation of temporary work without repeated structural alterations.
