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Media Like most other art forms, mural art has been radically transformed by digital technology. Now it is possible to develop mural concepts in a studio setting entirely in digital files or to develop a small scale (or full scale) concept by hand and transfer the images into digital files. Digital files can then be printed at full scale onto vinyl surfaces that can be attached to outdoor surfaces using a variety of means, including grommet fasteners and temporary adhesives. This is common, and readily available as outdoor advertising technology. The design and imagery can be stored and re-used at any time. This gives a very different complexion to issues of preservation and conservation. It also challenges the traditional distinctions in image production between painting and photography. Indeed, opportunities for including photographic images in a mural program should be supported. Sites There are a variety of walls in downtown Pleasanton that might be used as a mural site. Not every wall is appropriate; for example, historic brick walls' time-worn surfaces must be respected as a treasured component of historic buildings. Walls should be considered that are easily viewed from either Main Street or a side street. Walls with little visibility should be avoided as should walls exposed to strong, direct sunlight, unless the exhibition duration is short term. Procedures for Placing a Mural Downtown For four decades, cities across the country have struggled with legislative and regulatory issues surrounding mural permitting, review and approvals. Today when the issue emerges, most municipal legal counsels advise City Councils against creation of mural ordinances, citing the impossibility of creating objective criteria, clear language and binding legislation that are aligned with Constitutional rights, enforceable by City staff and defensible against litigation threats. Subjective issues such as thematic content, color selection and artistic merit are often best addressed through consensus, artists' peer review and neighborly good will. However, several objective and technical guidelines for murals can more easily be established, distributed and monitored. These include professional standards for levels of workmanship/production, suggested materials, provisions for the artwork's protection, maximum dimensions or percentage of coverage for credits (to distinguish murals from advertising that would fall under a sign ordinance), maintenance and repair. An application form should be created for discussion and consensus with proposers that requests the following information: • Name of organization or individual sponsoring supporting the mural • Artist's name • Project narrative • Scaled drawing • Medium and method of attachment to wall • Protection, security and maintenance provisions • Budget (if applying for financial support) • Budget must include necessary insurance coverage if public funds are used or if mural is on public property • Inclusive dates of mural exhibition • If the mural will be painted on site, list dates required for that task • Photograph of the wall • Letter from owner of the wall agreeing to the use of the wall for the specific period of time that mural will be on display • Support letters from neighboring businesses, organizations and/or residents, as applicable ~1