In 1996 the small town of Exeter, California embarked on a journey to create an outdoor art gallery. At that time the town was slowly dying commercially. There were always parking spaces available in front of business on the main street, there were many empty spaces available for rent, there were very few shops and fewer places to eat. There was a desire to do something and many random ideas but no central theme or person with passion willing to stick his neck out and pursue an idea.
The idea of murals was brought to me by three separate and unrelated individuals at different times. Suddenly things began happening at a rapid pace and the city council voted to hire a consultant to teach us how to become a mural city. Through a series of odd coincidences, I was made the president of the group. I knew nothing about such things, so I surrounded myself with folks who did know how to make things happen. I had nothing to lose (except perhaps my struggling art studio), so I poured myself wholeheartedly into the task of turning Exeter into an outdoor art gallery.
We tackled the process of laying the foundation for Exeter, A Festival of Arts by writing job descriptions, by-laws, contracts with artists, contracts with wall owners, gathering photos, learning about artists, and fund-raising, always fund-raising. It was exhausting at times, but I knew that Exeter had two choices: get cute or die. Although I have never lived in Exeter, I truly love that town! Sometimes people would ask me when I was going to paint a mural, and I’d laugh and remind them that first, I didn’t know how to paint, and second, the Mural Team’s by-laws prevented any of its members from profiting from the project.
In 2002 I closed my Exeter studio and moved into a little building at home in Three Rivers. This move meant I could no longer be on the Mural Team, but I never lost my interest in the project. Three years ago I started oil painting, last year I learned how to paint murals, and in February of this year I began painting Exeter’s 26th mural.
Today the town is vibrant, alive, busy, interesting and full of visitors coming to see the murals, the shops and the restaurants. Buildings have been renovated, parks and street corners and even alleys are landscaped, a gallery and museum have been added, and the town continues to thrive. Other towns in the county have tried to imitate Exeter’s success, but there is a specialness to Exeter lacking in other places. It may be the size, the history, the pride, the level of education, or the combination of all those elements, but in my opinion Exeter is the star of Tulare County.
Meanwhile, the fund-raising continues. Murals are expensive to prepare, paint and maintain. Exeter, A Festival of Arts has never sought grants, but has generated all its own financial support. And here is the real question: would you like to participate? Visit Exeter’s murals, and decide if you’d like to join in this worthy project. The Mural Team (I REFUSED to let us be called a “committee”) is using the opportunity of a Mineral King mural to raise more funds. (Don’t worry, I am getting paid with or without your donations.) Contributions are tax deductible. Details on how to donate and an informational letter about the current letter may be found on the Mineral King web site in the documents section: http://www.mineralking.net/documents/ExeterMural.pdf
