McKinley Park Entire Building Murals

123 running feet

Unbound/Libre

about Unbound

"Unbound" Mural proposal for Maintenance Building McKinley Park:

4 murals on North, South, East & West walls

Recognizing the significance of leaving a lasting impression on the community through art, these four murals are designed to connect the unique natural elements of Stockton with symbolism and the interplay of nature and unbound potential. The murals are rooted in nature specific to our region and combine abstract, colorful energy with overlays of native California leaves: California native wild sunflower leaves, California ash leaves, and ginkgo leaves. Each side of the building features a different leaf variety.

The leaves and stems were chosen for their symbolism--they are the parts of the plant that nourish it, receive sunlight, and convert it into energy. Much like the resident of Stockton supply the energy to each neighborhood. Vibrant colors were selected for their high saturation and durability in California sunlight. Patterns created with leaves layered over abstract backgrounds energizes the environment and the mural stands out at a distance.

Flanking the right side is a California native Western Redbud in the foreground, known for its brilliant blossoms. The feature wall (the west wall facing the pool) reveals a soaring swallow, symbolizing being "unbound" and reaching new heights. These foreground elements on the feature wall are colorful and offset the background elements with bold, contemporary linework.

The intent of the four murals is to create impactful artwork that contributes to dynamic placemaking. The backgrounds bold and graphic, incorporating shadows of the elements to give the murals depth and layered dimension.

We used social media to meet the audience in and additional way, provided updates daily and connected with visitors in the park.