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Seaside approves library stair mural and five utility-box wraps to brighten downtown
Summary
The arts commission recommended an international muralist for a new Seaside Library staircase mural and selected five community-designed utility-box wraps (including a fifth-grade design). Council approved the projects and asked staff to return with small edits and display details.
The Seaside Arts & History Commission recommended and the council approved two public-art projects on July 2: a mural on the library steps by international muralist Pedro Gonzalo Garcia and five utility-box wraps across the city.
Recreation Superintendent Keon Higgins described the library project as a colorful, site-specific design that will incorporate locally relevant book titles and images tied to Seaside history and natural life (the artist will include a local bird motif). The commission recommended a contract of approximately $11,500; staff said the work will be funded from NIC allocations already included in the FY25—Y26 budget.
In a separate utility-box program, the commission selected five artists (one design submitted by a fifth-grader) to wrap traffic-signal control boxes at selected downtown locations. The commission and several speakers highlighted utility-box art as a low-cost, high-impact way to reduce graffiti and improve neighborhood character.
Council members asked for minor refinements prior to installation (adding a plaque/QR code describing the artist and book titles; painting the stair sidewalls to complete the visual effect). Staff agreed to provide a one-page list of book titles and a final mock-up for council review at the next meeting.
Quote: "These little utility boxes are like small jewels hidden across the city," one commissioner said at the Arts & History meeting.
