In this episode, Morgan interviews David Sobon, founder of the annual Sacramento mural festival Wide Open Walls. The festival brings in a range of local artists—many of whom have never painted a wall before—as well as international muralists, who collaborate to cover Sacramento businesses - now moving into schools as well - with their designs. Morgan and David talk about getting the program off the ground, the festival's biggest success stories, and how Wide Open Walls supports bringing more art to Sacramento through engaging local as well as international talent.

Find David's Website at wideopenwalls.com

David's Instagram: @dsaevents

Evoke Arts on Instagram: @_evoke_arts_

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Mentioned Artists:

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Maren Conrad: marenconrad.com

Instagram: @marenconrad

Raphael Delgado: randmframing.com

Instagram: @artbyraphael

Enchi Wang: enchiwang.com

Instagram: @enchi.art

Shane Grammer: shanegrammer.com

Instagram: @shanegrammerarts

In this episode, Angela Anderson Adams shares nearly 3 decades of expertise as director of the public art program in Arlington, Virginia. Angela discusses the "arts ecosystem" in Arlington, especially how Arlington's grants program and nonprofit partnerships have helped fund the arts over the years. Angela and Morgan explore murals as creating space for remembering history, as well as how murals have combined with architecture and transportation in Arlington to create an inviting urban environment.

Learn more about the Arlington Arts Program here: https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Arts

Instagram:  arl_artscene

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Referenced Works and Artists:

Nancy Holt's Dark Star Park: https://holtsmithsonfoundation.org/nancy-holts-dark-star-park

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Find Ham Smith's website at hamsmith.com

Instagram: @ham.smith

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Kipp Kobayashi: www.kippkobayashi.com

Instagram: @kippkobayashi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kipp.kobayashi/

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Linn Myers: linnmeyers.com

Instagram: @linnmeyers

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See Doug Hollis' Wave Arbor work here: https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Public-Art/Public-Art-Collection/Permanent-Collection/Locations/Wave-Arbor

and here: https://www.facebook.com/TrocoFab/videos/552885658543849/

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Walter Hood: https://www.hooddesignstudio.com/

Hood's Arlington work can be found here: https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Public-Art/Public-Art-Collection/Permanent-Collection/Locations/John-Robinson-Jr.-Town-Square

"Protecting the joy and primacy of artmaking is an ongoing balancing act in the life of a professional artist" —Morgan Bricca

In the final chapter of her book, Morgan dives into keeping the artist happy! She explains how her criteria for selecting projects keeps her artistically challenged and fulfilled, and how to protect the fun of artmaking.

You can purchase the Mural Artist's Handbook here:

https://www.amazon.com/Mural-Artists-Handbook-Morgan-Bricca/dp/0578784785/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+mural+artists+handbook&qid=1656707059&sprefix=%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-1

"When bankers get together for dinner, they discuss Art. When artists get together for dinner, they discuss money." —Oscar Wilde

In Chapter 7, Morgan dives into her greatest area of expertise: making money making art. Morgan discusses questions such as: how much should I charge for a mural? Should I set a minimum? How much will I earn? She covers the basics of setting up your mural business and lists 5 things you should do this week to grow your business. Morgan talks about her art/business balance, why she always overbooks her mural schedule, and drawing the line between passion projects and working for free. Overall, this chapter explains why the "starving artist" model is unsustainable, and manages the dichotomy of being an artist and a businessperson.

Purchase the Mural Artist's Handbook here:

https://www.amazon.com/Mural-Artists-Handbook-Morgan-Bricca/dp/0578784785/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+mural+artists+handbook&qid=1656707059&sprefix=%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-1

In Chapter 6, Morgan discusses art advocacy, finding public mural projects, and painting in public spaces. She introduces some of the practical and economic reasons for funding public mural art, and how to create an effective design in the face of community input that can stretch the artist thin. Finally, Morgan offers a case study that demonstrates the effectiveness of murals against graffiti and explains why varnishing to protect against taggers is often not necessary.

Purchase the Mural Artist's Handbook here:

https://www.amazon.com/Mural-Artists-Handbook-Morgan-Bricca/dp/0578784785/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+mural+artists+handbook&qid=1656707059&sprefix=%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-1

In Chapter 4, Morgan explains why residential murals are the best place to start for an aspiring mural artist. She outlines 5 main tips for successful private commissions, and details how to set effective boundaries and expectations with clients. Morgan also dives into the design process, incorporating client feedback (she feels her clients have the best ideas!) and how to avoid surprises on your finished product.

In Chapter 5, Morgan talks about all aspects of school murals: funding, design, student engagement, and artist's rights. She offers two case studies of school spaces that have been transformed by artwork, and finally, explains why schools can be the most hesitant to approve project, but benefit the most from the artwork.

Purchase the Mural Artist's Handbook here:

https://www.amazon.com/Mural-Artists-Handbook-Morgan-Bricca/dp/0578784785/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+mural+artists+handbook&qid=1656707059&sprefix=%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-1

Morgan covers best practices for painting a mural, from materials, when to varnish, how to set up your space, to the physically demanding art of painting ceilings. Morgan also explains why you should buy top-of-the-line paint, what brands she recommends for different projects, and the "hidden skill" of mural painting.

Purchase the Mural Artist's Handbook here:

https://www.amazon.com/Mural-Artists-Handbook-Morgan-Bricca/dp/0578784785/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+mural+artists+handbook&qid=1656642665&sprefix=mural+artists+han%2Caps%2C213&sr=8-1

"Speak softly, but carry a big can of paint" —Banksy

In the first chapter of her audiobook, Morgan discusses the current mural renaissance, gives a lay of the "Wild West" of mural art, and explains how the reputation of murals is changing for the better.

In the second chapter, Morgan tells the story of how she quit her IT job to start painting murals and why she chose mural art as opposed to other mediums. She addresses the aspects of a sustainable art career (hint: you have to make money) and why you shouldn't take another art class. Finally, Morgan talks about what success means for her and how mural art lets her achieve that goal.

Purchase the Mural Artist's Handbook here:

https://www.amazon.com/Mural-Artists-Handbook-Morgan-Bricca/dp/0578784785/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+mural+artists+handbook&qid=1656642665&sprefix=mural+artists+han%2Caps%2C213&sr=8-1

Carlos unpacks how despite it being a hard year, confronting financial fears and the racism he has experienced, last year was his most successful year yet. Carlos encourages artists to walk towards their fear, no matter how they might feel. How to take responsibility for our welfare, not be dependent on politicians and those who don’t have our best interests at heart. This has been the year of truth, not so comfortable.

Carlos shares with us the chakra system for clearing creative blocks and how he applies this process of removing blocks to his community mural-making process. 

“We will believe anything except in ourselves.”

Website:https://www.carlosrodriguezart.com/

Instagram: @carlosrmk

This passage that I meant for the book was accidentally left on the cutting room floor: 

1. Who gets picked

Deciphering which artists are chosen, which creative voices and perspectives are shared in a community is too frequently the result of an imperfect selection process. For example, street art festivals can gain city and building-owner approval for walls, but typically don’t have much in the way of budget to pay the artists. The art that gets made under those conditions is painted by whoever is willing to work for little to no payment, typically younger and less experienced artists who don’t have families to feed. Intentionally curating a diversity of voices is frequently overlooked in the artist’s selection process, especially on privately-funded public mural projects. One community I bid on a project for had brought ten large-scale murals to their downtown, all funded through private donations. However, nine out of the ten artists selected to paint the murals were either white or male, representing only a small segment of the diverse community. Private interest groups can be a boon to bringing artwork to communities, but ensuring the artist representation is well-rounded makes for more diverse perspectives and is vital to ensuring the artwork relevant to the broader community.

Host: [Morgan Bricca][1]

Links: [Web: www.Morganmurals.com][2] [Insta: morgan.mural.studios][3] [Blog www.morganmurals.com/blog][4]

Episode Summary:

I answer questions posed in an email from an artist in Portland, OR who wants to move towards mural painting. I wrap up this last episode in the season with a list of reasons why I love painting murals.

Host: Morgan Bricca

Guest: Alex Cook

Links: Web: www.Morganmurals.com Insta: morgan.mural.studios Blog www.morganmurals.com/blog Alex's Website Alex's Video

Episode Summary: Is it possible to be a rebel against street art culture? Alex Cook might be the first. His overtly loving messages and collaborative approach to his You Are Loved murals blur the edges between art and service, and bring a kind message into public spaces all over the globe.

Host: Morgan Bricca

Guest: Hanna

Links: Web: www.Morganmurals.com Insta: morgan.mural.studios Blog www.morganmurals.com/blog Hanna's Murals: hannasmurals.com Hanna's Instagram: @hannasmurals

Episode Summary: Hanna has been painting murals in the San Diego area for 15 years. We discuss the details of “the hustle” including pricing, materials, physical challenges, finding more clients, and taking time off to travel and recharge.

Host: Morgan Bricca

Guest: Juan Carlos Araujo

Links: Web: www.Morganmurals.com Insta: morgan.mural.studios Blog www.morganmurals.com/blog Juan Carlos Araujo: empiresevenstudios@yahoo.com https://www.empiresevenstudios.com/

Episode Summary: Juan Carlos Araujo brought Pow Wow mural festival to San Jose and has been a steady presence in the street art scene in San Jose since he founded E7S in 2008. We talk about diversity and inclusion, balancing making a living and being of service through art in the community, and the art of winning over mural skeptics.

Host: Morgan Bricca

Guest: Michael Ogilvie

Links: Web: www.Morganmurals.com Insta: morgan.mural.studios Blog www.morganmurals.com/blog michael.ogilvie@sanjoseca.gov">Michael Ogilvie, Public Art Director, City of San Jose michael.ogilvie@sanjoseca.gov San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs http://www.sanjoseca.gov/index.aspx?nid=4195

Episode Summary: Running the public art program for the tenth largest city in the united states is no easy task. Michael walks us through how public art projects happen in San Jose, as well as the vision for the public art program in one of the fastest growing cities in the country.

Host: Morgan Bricca

Guest: Jane Kim

Links: Web: www.Morganmurals.com Insta: morgan.mural.studios Blog www.morganmurals.com/blog

Episode Summary: Ink Dwell co-founder Jane Kim opens up about the challenges of running an art studio, taking on large mural commissions across the country, and nature education through art.

Inkdwell.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/InkDwell/

Wall of Birds Book: https://www.inkdwell.com/wall-of-birds/

Learn more about the decline of the Western Monarch population and the conservation efforts surrounding it, at the Xerces Society.

Host: Morgan Bricca

Guest: Jason Newblanc

Links: Web: www.Morganmurals.com Insta: morgan.mural.studios Blog www.morganmurals.com/blog

Episode Summary: Software engineer by day and arts advocate by night, Jason Newblanc brought inspiration from his annual pilgrimages to Burning man back to his hometown, Redwood City. His efforts were the beginning of the transformation of “Deadwood City” to Redwood City: The Arts Destination on the Peninsula. The Commercial Way Mural Alley in Redwood City, a series of seven murals that transformed a blighted alleyway, was his brainchild. He believes creativity is contagious and that good art “pushes the edges”.

jasonnewblanc@rewoodcity.org

Host: Morgan Bricca

Guest: Christy Flahavan

Links: Web: www.Morganmurals.com Insta: morgan.mural.studios Blog www.morganmurals.com/blog

Episode Summary: In this episode I interview Christy Flahavan, former PTA president of Springer Elementary School about how in the course of three years she transformed a boring, beige campus into a school bursting with art. She had a vision, and despite a retiring principal and lackluster support, started with one project and built on that success.

My blog post about that transformation at Springer is here: https://www.morganmurals.com/blog/how-transform-school-for-less-15000

Host: Morgan Bricca

Guest: Chris Beth

Links:

• Redwood City Downtown Precise Plan (DTPP)

Episode Summary:

Chris Beth, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Redwood City, shares how his town went from a ghost town to the most vibrant arts destination on the peninsula, reviving the downtown businesses and community engagement and vibrancy.

Host: Morgan Bricca

Guest: Amanda Golden, Principal, Designing Local

Links:

• Mark Regalman
• Article on art in alleyways (including Chattanooga's alley)
• Janet Eckleman
• TED talk
• Images of her piece in LeBauer Park in Greensboro, NC

Episode Summary:

In this episode Amanda Golden, Principal of Designing Local discusses the benefits of having a city master plan, including identifying various sources for funding the public art, having a plan that individuals or businesses can participate in, the pull of art dense communities, and the magic of site-specific, context-specific artwork.

Host: Morgan Bricca

Guests:

• Paz de la Calzada - Website, Instagram
• Shannon Geis - Website, Instagram

Episode Summary:

Lunch break on the job site with artists Paz de la Calzada and Shannon Geis. We interview each other and cover money, the benefits of working with other artists, the challenges artist are facing in San Francisco and the benefits of painting over each other’s work.

Host: Morgan Bricca

Guest: Brad Maihack - (Instagram)

Episode Summary:

Brad Maihack is on the board of zero1.org and founder of Social Venture Café. The topics covered in this podcast include: the importance of protecting the experimental, incubation phase of the creative process, the importance of collaboration and integration of feedback for public artists, and the potential for public art projects to create social change. Brad also fills us in about a new public art project he is embarking on in Sonoma.

Host: Morgan Bricca

Guest: Elise DeMarzo (Elise.DeMarzo@cityofpaloalto.org">Elise.DeMarzo@cityofpaloalto.org, @edavyne)

Links:

• Palo Alto Public Arts Program

Episode Summary:

Part Two of an Interview with Elise DeMarzo, Director of the Public Art Program for the City of Palo Alto. In this episode, we will discuss how Palo Alto supports its artist community and how they plan years in advance to integrate artwork into to the building process. We explore the fine line between accommodating the positive psychological impact art can have on a community and the merit of more challenging, thought provoking pieces. We also discuss the benefits of temporary art, and how a short time frame can allow for more experimentation and spectacle.

Host: Morgan Bricca

Guest: Elise DeMarzo (Elise.DeMarzo@cityofpaloalto.org">Elise.DeMarzo@cityofpaloalto.org, @edavyne)

Links:

• Palo Alto Public Arts Program

Episode Summary:

Interview with Elise DeMarzo, Director of the Public Art Program for the City of Palo Alto. We discuss how to ensure artwork is site specific and relevant while avoiding design by committee, the trend of including a “selfie moment” in mural art, whether murals should be considered temporary or permanent art and why mural art is one of the most litigious type of art to get made.

Host: Morgan Bricca

Guests: Maddie McBirney and Paula Rini

Episode Summary:

Maddie McBirney and Paula Rini served as city art commissioners for the Bay Area community of Los Altos. During their tenure they were able to secure a budget for future art, through a 1% tax on future development projects, as well as develop a master plan for art.

Show Notes:

• (1:50) How creating a Master Plan was instrumental in passing the "1% or Art" in Los Altos.
• (7:00) Why does a small city need art, and does it deter development projects?
• (8:35) What advice would you give yourself in retrospect about the process of getting a "1% for art " approved?
• (11:45) The decision-making process of approving art projects.
• (17:53) Tapping into various demographics
• (19:42) What advice do you have for other small cities who want to pass a "1% for art"?
• (26:18) Why are you an arts advocate?
• (27:10) What was the process like for getting the new murals approved in Redwood City?
• (28:35) Morgan's white paper on Managing a Public Mural Project