Do You Know The Way to San Jose's Guadalupe River Trail?
The second Artist-in-Residence, Kristina Micotti, recently completed her mural titled “Do You Know The Way to San Jose's Guadalupe River Trail?,” further expanding the Artist In Residence series within the Guadalupe River Park. The latest mural is located along the Guadalupe River Trail under Santa Clara Street and is now accessible now to the public. Despite the continuance of COVID-19, our project’s scope is still abiding by the current public health and social distancing concerns while encouraging trail and park exploration.
An accomplished local illustrator, this artwork would be Kristina’s first public mural. Prior to Kristina starting her public piece, our team and Mel Sarmento, Education Program Manager with GRPC took a nature walk to learn more about the natural habitat in and along the river trail. This provided much inspiration for the characters you will see in Kristina’s mural.
“Using fun and bright colors, the mural is a way to bring awareness not only to the native wildlife but to the actual trail itself. The Guadalupe River Trail is truly one of the most beautiful places in San José and I was very fortunate to paint there, says Kristina. “From biking to bird watching, the trail has so much to offer our city. The playful characters are my way of inviting the public down to the trail and to encourage them to enjoy it for themselves.”
“There are many factors to consider when designing trails in San Jose,” says Yves Zsutty, Division Manager for the City of San Jose’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department. “A key element is to provide moments of joy and reward along a trail. It has been a fantastic process hearing the community’s first impressions of this mural, knowing that their bike ride was made more joyful.”
On Thursday, March 18, we will be having a full fun evening of activities!
6:00-7:00PM, there will be a Virtual Kristina Micotti Mural Unveiling hosted by Chopsticks Alley; a local organization which seeks to uplift Southeast Asian American culture, creativity, and leadership. We will be premiering a short film about the recent Artist In Residence #2 along the Guadalupe River Trail.
7:00-9:00pm, join us in Art Boutiki’s Drink and Draw! This will be a virtual gathering where you can listen to vinyl sounds, pull out your sketchbooks, pour yourself a drink and join us in this after party!
Details to come soon!
Kristina will also release a limited edition pin this spring commemorating this occasion. Proceeds will benefit the mission and programs of PWSJ x GRPC. There will be a preview release one day before we announce on social media. In order to be first in line, make sure you’re signed up for the PWSJ mailing list HERE
We are grateful for the support of Applied Materials, Kelly Moore Paints, the San Jose Downtown Association and and City of San Jose’s Office of Cultural Affairs and Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department, for their commitment to arts, culture, and public space in San Jose.
More information about how to donate or to become a sponsor, please visit HERE
For detailed images of the new mural, go HERE.
Photography by Lanny Nguyen and Ian Lundie
