Stockton Murals Showcase Local Artists, City
STOCKTON (CBS13) - A collaborative effort is underway by the city of Stockton and downtown businesses to showcase local artists and feature the city.
"I've been out here for four days now," said Nate Gleaks, a mural artist.
Gleaks is one of a growing list of local artists painting Downtown Stockton whatever colors they want.
"This is my first time doing something like this. I approached it pretty much as a canvas," said Gleaks
Many mural artists started painting on Monday, putting in hours when they can.
"It's give and take; for example, Monday I was here all day, but it was so hot up here on this roof. I maybe put in two hours of work," said Armando Perez, a mural artist.
The city gave the money for supplies and the property owners gave the artists permission.
"There's, like, an artist community out here. Everyone sort of knows everyone through somebody. People are starting to ask if they can come out and paint now. I just need the walls. All I need is a wall," said mural artist Garrett Daniells.
Most of the walls belong to Ten Space Development. The mural event was the pet project of developer Tim Egkan, who was murdered in Stockton last year. Egkan secured the city art commission's grant and Ten Space moved forward with the project.
The artists are working for free.
"We just wanted to paint," said Daniells.
But have full creative license.
"Honestly, I ended up not even doing the sketch I sent in," said Gleaks.
"I just wanted to challenge myself. I saw this bird on Google Images and I loved the detail. I wanted to see if I could reproduce it," said Perez.
Organizers hope to make turning the city over to artists an annual event.
"The whole fact of creating something out of nothing…I love it," said Perez.
The mural event has already expanded by adding more artists this weekend. So far, 10 walls in Downtown Stockton have been covered.