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Appendix A: MURALS Introduction: Murals are a significant art form in many California cities and can lend themselves to providing civic identity (as in Folsom) and being a potent vehicle for community expression (as in Los Angeles). Relative to other public art forms, murals are extremely easy to produce. They do not require any structural framework which is frequently an expensive and often an invisible part of many public art projects. The fact that murals almost exclusively rely upon existing structures also eases the typically complex review process required by building codes. With a relatively small budget and a limited set of materials, artists can easily transform walls to vibrant outdoor paintings. The relative ease of their fabrication and installation have made murals a popular form of expression for individual artists, community groups and public arts and culture offices. The ease of implementation also lays the foundation for weaknesses in murals as permanent and durable public art. Frequently, murals are created quickly with more emphasis on community participation than artistic merit. And most importantly, painted murals decay quickly when exposed to outdoor elements. Maintenance and conservation requirements are particularly demanding, with associated costs totaling more than the original budget Murals created in ceramic tile, baked porcelain enamel and other permanent building materials can meet durability standards comparable to most standard three dimensional public art works. The Program There are several approaches to mural policies which take into account both the unique assets murals can bring to communities and at the same time are mindful of their potential artistic and economic liabilities. A Murals' Exhibition Program will be established for downtown Pleasanton. One of the main concepts of the Program is that murals will be of a temporary nature, with exhibition durations varying from one month to one year. This approach allows downtown to function much like an outdoor community gallery, with regularly scheduled changing exhibitions. Visitors to downtown, over the course of a year's time, will be able to enjoy and expect new images and new sites within the Murals' Exhibition Program. The Civic Arts Commission will encourage all parties sponsoring murals to maintain the one year limit but compliance is voluntary for artwork on private property. Secondly, the Civic Arts Commission will encourage sponsors to create murals on removable materials that can be easily attached and removed from support surfaces. Murals painted directly on buildings will not be encouraged due to challenging conservation issues. Methods Murals must be painted on removable materials that can be easily attached and removed from support surfaces. Murals will not be painted directly on buildings except under special authorization of the Civic Arts Commission. "There are numerous appropriate mural surfaces, including canvas and other durable materials used in commercial banners for outdoor display. Murals can be painted on site, allowing a wonderful in-process drama appreciated by the public; or they can be painted in a studio setting, often preferable and easier for artists to work day and night, during inclement weather and under more controlled circumstances. There are also liability issues in having artists and community members painting on-site and working from ladders in public settings. Murals completed in studio or indoor settings, can be easily transported to and installed on site. For projects that might involve community groups and/or school children, painting murals in school or community settings is logistically easier. d0