On the corner of Nipomo and Higuera, what was once a gray, unnoticed utility box now bursts with colorful images of artistic bears taking up tight roping and hula hooping. The artistic and playful nature is one that rings loud.
In a town known for its natural beauty, even the city’s street corners have transformed into unexpected canvases.
The initiative known as, the City of San Luis Obispo Box Art Program, is back after five years, brightening up the town while also reviving a tradition of community expression.
Program history
As part of the City’s Downtown Maintenance and Beautification project in 2010, the utility boxes throughout San Luis Obispo became unconventional canvases to aid in the abatement of graffiti.
The program expanded due to its popularity within the community. By 2019, 65 utility boxes in the town were covered with original artwork from local artists.
With the rise of COVID-19 and a lack of resources, the program took a five-year hiatus — that was — until this past summer when 10 new pieces of public artwork featuring a new technique, were added to the community.
New art initiatives
In previous years, participants of this program would spend hours at a time for three days painting the utility boxes, although a labor of love, this process was not a reality for many.
Despite the uncharted territory, the city implemented a new vinyl wrap process for covering the utility boxes. This allowed for a way to diversify the medium of art that can be seen, along with becoming more accessible to people of different ages and capabilities.
City of San Luis Obispo Public Art Coordinator Amanda Grieshop said, “This is how we can make this program far more accessible to the artists in our community.”
Grieshop has worked with the City of San Luis Obispo for 10 months and has played a lead role in the revitalization of public art. As coordinator, she hopes that this program allows community members to feel seen, learn something new and want to participate.
The process
The process of getting artwork chosen by city coordinators is an extensive one, making it that much more rewarding.
The beginning steps include submitting ideas through the Request for Proposal that is released by the city and closed as the deadline approaches. At this time, a jury is composed of various community members spanning from art organizations and local businesses. In a random selection, the jury meets and picks out finalists to be recommended.
Nearing the final steps, the City’s Community Development Director reviews and approves or denies the recommendations. This past summer, 10 finalists were approved, notified and rewarded.
Words from the community
With the jump to vinyl wrap, the latest 2024 Box Art Summer finalists showcased art from multiple mediums, giving each box a unique outcome with a one-of-a-kind story.
One standout box from this set includes Jann Griffiths’ masterpiece at Madonna and Laguna Lake. The artwork features an array of orange fish in the ocean with kelp and other colorful sea life.
Griffiths expressed her goals for the utility box with the City of San Luis Obispo and said, “I believe that the more people are made aware of the life and beauty under the ocean, the more they will be compelled to preserve it. I hope my art serves to increase this awareness.”
Located in close proximity to the ocean, Griffiths’ work displays a powerful message and reminder for the community.
Lisa Dietz, local business owner of Open Air Flowers in downtown San Luis Obispo, said she loves the different artists and styles that are showcased around town.
“It makes me happy when I walk by,” Dietz said.
Looking ahead, Grieshop wants the community to “get excited for change,” with 10 new artworks coming this fall, all replacing damaged or weathered boxes.
Although not previously sustained, the box art is intended to act as a rotating exhibit changed every three to five years for downtown boxes and every 10 years for outer city boxes.
Grieshop hopes to rotate artwork more frequently with two rounds a year, reviving and adding to the public art scene while also reflecting the current state of the community.
The City of San Luis Obispo has created the Utility Box Art website to showcase the gallery with walking and driving maps along with the numbering of each box for proper observation.
Applications for the Fall 2024 Box Art Program closed on September 30th and the artwork is set to be reviewed and chosen by mid-October, with the installation completed in November.
For those who didn’t get a chance to submit their work, there will be more opportunities to come this next year as the San Luis Obispo Box Art Program prepares to celebrate 15 years of supporting local artists.
As the utility boxes continue to transform, they serve as a reminder of art’s ability to connect, inspire and revitalize. For more information on the program head to the Box Art Program page to find out how you can have your art showcased around town.
