Proposed Community Art on Linden Avenue by the Carpinteria Cultural Foundation

Community Review and Public Input

The City of Carpinteria is seeking community input on a proposed 10-panel historical mural submitted by the Carpinteria Cultural Foundation (CCF) for installation at the Seal Fountain Plaza/Community Plaza on Linden Avenue.

The City is conducting this outreach as part of its public art review process and is seeking community feedback on the proposed artwork’s historical content and artistic design.

The City’s role in this process is to facilitate a fair and transparent public review.

Community members are invited to review the proposal materials online or in-person during two in-person outreach events, and provide their feedback. All feedback will be provided to the Carpinteria City Council upon their final review. In person events will take place:

  • Saturday, August 22, 2026 from 1:00-4:00pm at the Seal Fountain (800 Block of Linden Avenue)
  • Thursday, September 10, 2026 from 2:30-5:30pm at the Seal Fountain (800 Block of Linden Avenue)
Provide your feedback here

Public Art Policy

On July 27, 2026, the Carpinteria City Council approved the City’s Public Artwork Policy, establishing guidelines for the selection and management of public artwork on City-owned or City-controlled property.

The policy is intended to help public artwork enliven physical spaces, enhance economic vitality, and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors. It also establishes a process intended to ensure that decisions regarding public artwork are made in a fair and transparent manner consistent with First Amendment principles.

As part of this process, the City is conducting public outreach regarding the proposed mural and is seeking community feedback in a neutral manner.

About the Proposed Mural on Linden Avenue

The Carpinteria Cultural Foundation has proposed donating a series of 10 historical mural panels for installation at the Community Plaza surrounding the Seal Fountain on Linden Avenue.

According to the proposal submitted to the City, the panels are intended to chronologically depict people and communities who have made Carpinteria their home.

The proposed panels depict:

  • Chumash
  • Spaniards
  • Californios
  • American settlers
  • Mexican Americans
  • Japanese Americans
  • Dust Bowl Americans
  • Italians
  • Other communities and ethnicities represented as part of the cultural identity of contemporary Carpinteria

The historical images included in the proposal were selected by CCF members Richard Medel, Dr. Jim Campos, Dr. Jesus J. Gonzales, Mike Damron, and Adriana Gonzalez Smith, with assistance from historical advisors including Dr. Stephen Bates, Tim Bliss, Jonathan Brown, John Fukasawa Jr., and Esq., Brent Winebrenner.

Artist: Rick Sharp
Number of panels: 10
Proposed location: Seal Fountain Plaza/Community Plaza, Linden Avenue
Artwork valuation: Approximately $35,000–$40,000

All Artwork Panels

Proposed Location and Design

The proposed mural would be installed at the area by the Seal Fountain on the 800 block of Linden Avenue. The Carpinteria Cultural Foundation is proposing placing it above the existing curved wall, underneath the existing ramada.

The proposed installation was developed with consideration of the existing plaza, including the existing tile artwork created by Carpinteria Beautiful.

According to the proposal, the new panels would not cover, alter, or damage the existing tile mural.

The panels are intended to complement the existing artwork through similar colors, artistic style, and texture.

Proposed Panel Specifications

  • Each panel: approximately 2.5 feet by 4 feet
  • Material: 1/8-inch aluminum composite panel
  • Panels would be arranged chronologically
  • The framing would use a green color intended to match the existing ramada
  • If placed above the curved wall, the panels would be slightly behind the existing light fixtures
  • If placed above the curved wall, existing lighting would be restored to illuminate the panels at night
  • If placed above the curved wall, the existing grapevine would be professionally pruned to maintain visibility of the artwork

The proposal also identifies the possibility of adding “Carpinteria” lettering above the existing tiled artwork, either hand-painted or tiled.

Preservation of Existing Plaza Features

The proposed installation has been designed around the existing features of the Community Plaza.

According to the proposal, mounting the panels above the existing wall would:

  • Preserve the existing bench seating
  • Avoid structural alterations to the curved wall
  • Preserve the existing tile mural
  • Maintain the functionality of the plaza
  • Create a visual focal point above the existing wall

The proposal also notes that the area above the existing wall currently provides a view toward a parking lot. The proposed artwork would occupy that space and introduce a historical visual element to the plaza.

Installation, Maintenance and Cost

The Carpinteria Cultural Foundation has indicated that it would be responsible for the costs associated with the project.

According to the proposal:

  • The panels could be manufactured and installed within approximately 60 days of approval.
  • The manufacturer estimates a lifespan of approximately 30 years before replacement is needed.
  • If a panel is damaged, CCF has indicated that it would replace the panel at no cost to the City within 45 days.
  • CCF would maintain the panels at its expense.
  • CCF would retain the rights to the images used in the artwork.
  • The artwork would be donated to the City.

The stated artwork valuation is approximately $35,000–$40,000.

Where can I find out more about the proposal?

The Carpinteria Cultural Foundation has a dedicated page on their website that has the complete proposal and can be found through this link: https://carpinteriaculturalfoundation.org/proposed-community-plaza-on-linden-avenue 

What Happens Next?

Following the public outreach period, community feedback will be compiled for consideration as the City continues its review of the proposed artwork. It will be brought back to the Carpinteria City Council, then to Architectual Review Board, and then back to the Carpinteria City Council for final approval.

Important: Public input does not constitute approval or disapproval of the proposed mural. The City is gathering community perspectives as part of its public art review process.