Colorado Blvd & Route 66 - Mural Project

Click here to download the full PDF Proposal (7.22.24) which includes:

• Artist Bio & Project Background

• Mural Portfolio

• Wall Specs

• Mural Goals

• Rough Concepts

• Mural Protection & Maintenance

• Dibond Panel Option

*Please inquire for the current detailed cost breakdown.

NOTE: THIS IS JUST A ROUGH CONCEPT AT THIS TIME

ALTERNATE IDEAS FOR COLORS

WHO: Local artists Greetings Tour (Victor Ving & Lisa Beggs) in collaboration with Colorado Blvd/Route 66 council

WHAT: Create a permanent community mural landmark celebrating Route 66 on Colorado Blvd in Pasadena. This project coincides with the sesquicentennial of Colorado Blvd and the centennial of Route 66 in 2026. The concept is a classic large-letter postcard design that says “Greetings from ROUTE 66.” Each letter will feature images related to Pasadena's Route 66, highlighting its history, culture, landmarks, and nature. The mural will be part of a larger, collectible national series with pieces in various Route 66 cities.

WHEN: Installation planned for 2025-2026 prior to the celebration event. However, the collaborative design process will need to start several months prior to any painting.

WHERE: East facing wall at 1308 E Colorado Blvd. (@ Holliston Ave.) adjacent to the historic Foothill Blvd Milestone - See Google Street View link

WHY: A Route 66 mural in Pasadena will help to preserve and celebrate its cultural and historical heritage. Our murals have the ability to capture the unique stories, history and landmarks along Colorado Blvd, boosting community pride and attracting tourists. This not only strengthens local identity but also boosts the economy by drawing visitors interested in the area's history and art. You can see several case studies and testimonials on our Wall of Fame page.

Past Local Murals

Past Works Along Route 66 Cities

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you expect to be funded for this project?

There are several ways we can collaborate with the council to secure funding for the mural. We plan to explore grant opportunities at the federal, state, and city levels. For instance, Pasadena offers an annual Arts & Culture grant that includes funding for festivals, allowing this project to potentially be part of a mural festival along Route 66.

We also plan to install a dedication plaque for the mural to honor various tiers of sponsorships. This can include donations for paints, equipment, and other materials to help lower costs. Additionally, we will seek private and brand sponsorships relevant to Route 66 and Colorado Blvd. For example, Vans, established in '66, has a store on Colorado Blvd., which ties into the famous quote "Get Your Kicks on Route 66."

A crowdsourced campaign could also provide supplemental funding. Lastly, as the artists, we are willing to contribute our own labor if full funding cannot be secured in time. Please email us for the latest cost breakdown.

Will the city require a permit for this mural?

I am familiar with Pasadena's public art codes and will ensure the mural adheres to the standards for true public art and not signage. The proposed building is not designated as historic, which removes the first obstacle. However, we must avoid depicting signage of existing companies, such as historic Route 66 motels that are still in business, within the artwork. Additionally, the mural cannot be temporary or contain commercial design elements, including advertising text.

Once we have the design finalized, we would contact Cultural Affairs with details about the project's location, scale, content, material, and permanency to make sure it’s cleared. To date, I have completed several public art murals in Pasadena without needing permits and do not anticipate any issues with this one.

Who is the property owner and what protection will there be from this mural being removed?

I am in contact with all the entities that collectively own this property. They are all currently supportive of the project, and we will outline all agreed-upon terms in a contract with the property owners.

In addition, The Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990 (VARA) protects the rights of artists by granting them certain moral rights over their works of visual art, including murals. Notably, “Right of Integrity:” This allows the artist to prevent any intentional distortion, mutilation, or other modification of their work that would harm their honor or reputation. The artist can also prevent the destruction of a work of recognized stature. This is particularly relevant for murals, as it means that the mural cannot be destroyed without the artist's consent if it is considered a work of recognized stature.

Alternatively, there’s an option to paint the mural on dibond panels that can be installed and relocated if necessary. However, this method is less preferred due to higher costs and the need for additional permits.

What happens if the mural is vandalized or damaged?

Our proposal PDF outlines our plan for proper wall preparation prior to painting, as well as a future maintenance plan. The finished artwork will be protected with a UV-resistant and anti-graffiti coating. We will also provide a two-year warranty for cleaning, repairs, and reapplication of the anti-graffiti coating as needed. To date, none of our murals in Pasadena have experienced vandalism and we do not foresee an issue at this location.

How will you select the imagery that’s going to be featured within the letters?

The mural design will be a collaborative process involving all stakeholders. Once the "shell" of the lettering and background is approved, we will work together to finalize a list of relevant Route 66 and Colorado Blvd. imagery to be featured within each letter. Ideally, we will incorporate elements that reflect landmarks, history, culture, and nature. This process often takes longer than expected, so we will establish a clear framework and timeline.

Additionally, we aim to collaborate with other local artists, including photographers, painters, and designers. Artists who contribute to the mural will be compensated from our budget.

How long will the mural take to complete?

The main part of this project will be the design phase and collaborating with the committee on revisions. Our design process includes a creative brief, an initial sketch, and two rounds of revisions. This process can take anywhere from a few months to years. However, we will guide the committee to ensure all feedback is clear and consolidated to meet timelines.

Once the design is approved, painting and installing the mural is the easier part for us. Pre-production time to prepare for the mural off-site will be about 4 weeks. At the wall, given the proposed size with six unique images through the seven letters of ROUTE 66, we estimate the mural will take about 10 working days to complete with a team of 4-5 artists, weather permitting.

Is there a contingency plan if the proposed location falls through?

We will plan to have a few backup locations along Route 66 on Colorado Blvd in case any issues arise. One main concern for the current location is getting clearance from the adjacent McDonald’s property to access the wall. We are currently in touch with the property management and they will require a letter of indemnification for obstructing ADA access and a plan for providing alternate, safe ADA access during business hours.

In the worst case, we can plan to paint or complete the mural live at a relevant festival or event on freestanding Dibond panels, which can later be installed at a permanent public location. This approach ties the mural into an event but would require the artwork to be much smaller (roughly 10’ H x 20’W.)

Please feel free to submit your questions and we will keep this page updated! (Last update 7/22/2024)

For more information, you can reach Victor @ 718-350-7671 / greetingstour@gmail.com