Montclair Village, Oakland, Ca

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 @ 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Oakland, CA – Rite Aid, Inc, in partnership with the Montclair Village Association (MVA) will be hosting a dedication of the Montclair Village Mural, the key anchor installation of the Montclair Public Art Project. The dedication event will be held on April 30, 2014, 3PM marking the completion of a collaborative public art installation serving as the cornerstone image of Montclair Village.

The image is an original art piece from Michael Wertz, depicting the iconography of Oakland’s Montclair District. The combined efforts of muralist Pam Consear, graphic designer Ron Rifkin, and students from the Skyline High School Art Club came together to create Montclair Village’s latest mural at the corner of Medau Place and Mountain Blvd. on the Rite Aid building. Mural sponsors: Rite Aid, Inc. and property owner Sturtevant Enterprises emphasize the importance of a connected community and how corporate involvement can shape identity and draw shoppers to a unique, destination commercial district.

Michael Wertz, artist, educator, and lifelong Bay Area resident, created the image, also displayed in panels on district light pole banners. Ron Rifkin, graphic artist and owner of the Design Office, laid out the design. Pam Consear, also known as, Handy Gal, started out as a school teacher then progressed into beautification projects that included painted titles and murals throughout Oakland. In 2008 Consear started Handy Gal to pursue her passion as an artist full time. Students of Skyline High School’s Art Club, with Consear’s guidance and encouragement, met at what once was the blank façade of the Rite Aid building every Saturday in March and April to complete the mural.

Prior to 2012 there was no public art on the streets of the bustling hills commercial district of Montclair. Since the initiation of the Montclair Public Art Project over twenty unique pieces of public art have been installed. Colorful mosaic planters installed by Gina Dominguez now line the sidewalks alongside utility boxes transformed into art by Dan Fontes. The Montclair Lions Club and other businesses in the Village have sponsored these art installations, adding to the character and charm of this Oakland hills shopping center.

Donations to the Montclair Public Art Project go towards community beautification projects through the Montclair Village Association, a 501(c)iii non-profit organization.

The Medau Mural Project is Co-sponsored with Rite Aid, Sturtevant Enterprises and the Montclair Village Association.