Art Lovers

An explosion of art is just what the Insider orders after months of looking at our own walls. The 2020 Eureka Street Art Festival celebrated the medium of the mural, rising above the restrictions of social distancing with 12 new artworks by Humboldt and local artists. Thus, the Henderson Center Mural Tour was born (barely contained by E and F streets, Henderson and Harris streets). The Native Mural Project debuted with artwork created by Alme Allen, Carl Avery, Melitta Jackson and Julian Lang. The dazzling “Of a Feather” by Mir de Silva (Dave’s Place, 426 Grotto St.) reveals the charming detail of a frog with the artist’s signature hiding by a downspout. While taking in “Run,” by Native artist Jackson, you might be drawn into a conversation with another appreciator of Eureka’s public art passing by. Art can inspire reconnecting with fellow humans after such a long drought. Best of all, the only cost is your time. Visit www. eurekastreetartfestival.com to get the skinny on this summer’s event: A Colorful Week In the Streets.

The Live Art Wall on Waterfront Drive is one of Eureka’s coolest places. These murals are ephemeral, seemingly blown in off the bay only to return when their time has come. Playful and powerful, the artistry makes good use of a utilitarian seawall. Differences in style and subject highlight the cultural diversity of Humboldt’s street art scene, from playful manga to distraught realism to edgy graffiti. In one mural, two crying children seem to join in our shared distress, openly wounded and inconsolable. Farther along, you may wish the colorful creature offering “Free Hugs” could deliver. This year the gentle “We will get through this together” piece reminds all that art can indeed keep us together. Take a selfie with your favorite and share Eureka’s love of public art with your friends and follow the artist’s social media. The continually evolving Live Art Wall is one of many projects Ink People uses to provide artists with paying jobs. Visit www.inkpeople.org for a public art map, make a donation (because, man, this is cool) or submit your own proposal.

Fish cascade up into a startlingly blue sky, propelled along silver lines. Nearby, splashes of color entice you to walk the L Street bike/hike path between Eighth and Ninth streets in Arcata's Creamery District. A joyous unveiling at the Keep the Giant Jolly celebration debuted these new installations, the result of a two-year community public art project spearheaded by the Arcata Playhouse. James Hildebrandt crafted two 14-foot sculptures, titled “Homeward Leaping,” that compel your gaze to flow along his vision of Jolly Giant Creek’s stream as sleek fish swim its current. The touching 4-by-72-foot mural painted by 70 students from Fieldbrook Elementary and Redwood Coast Montessori celebrates the creek that flows through their lives. Students created the 2-by-2-foot panels at home during the fall of 2020, painting a bit of the Jolly Giant they held in their hearts during a year inside. How can you support young artists? Visit www.arcataplayhouse. org and find out what the rocking education team is up to next.

← The Native Mural Project in Henderson Center. ↑ Live Art Wall on Waterfront Drive. → “Homeward Leaping” in Arcata's Creamery District. Jonathan webster