The Project

The Leadership Gilroy Class of 2017 “Celebrate the Arts” Mural was a major public-art community project designed to inspire local youth, beautify downtown Gilroy and strengthen the city’s arts identity.

The Class of 2017 commissioned local artist Sheryl Cathers to create a 1,800 square foot comic book style mural on the north wall of the Gilroy Center for the Arts. The mural celebrates ten different artistic disciplines with a goal of encouraging young people to engage in the arts.

The class also partnered with videographer Zach Patterson to produce a five-minute “Celebrate the Arts!” video featuring students explaining why they value the arts. The mural served as the video backdrop and the video was intended as a free online educational resource for GIlroy students.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held October 4, 2017 and the community was invited to celebrate the completed mural. The community still enjoys the mural to this day!