Arts & Culture Weekend slated for Lompoc: October 8-9, 2016

OFFICIAL NEWS RELEASE

First-Ever ‘Mural in a Weekend’ Arts & Culture Event slated for October 8-9, 2016 in Lompoc, CA

With over 30 murals painted brightly and displayed proudly on many street corners in Old Town, Lompoc is known for its art – big art! A top attraction for Lompoc, the murals depict scenes of Lompoc’s heritage and history, ranging from its flower industry and historic mission to its Chumash Indian influence and ethnic diversity.

To celebrate the painting of the newest mural being added to the collection, and to showcase the town’s artsy side and cultural attractions, Lompoc is hosting a brand new event, Mural in a Weekend slated for October 8-9, 2016. One of the highlights of the weekend will be the painting of the new mural by Master Artist Art Mortimer depicting an agricultural scene of Lompoc Valley; this is the first mural in Lompoc to wrap around a corner of a building.

Locals and visitors alike will have an opportunity to work alongside Mortimer and Lompoc Mural Society artists who will help guide the project to create this exciting work of art. Painting for the mural is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, from 8 am to 5 pm, at 100 So. H Street. Participants can choose to paint for an hour, a few hours, all day, or both days! Preregistration is requested to ensure plenty of supplies and painters for the project. Participants can also sign up on-site during the event weekend. Sign up to Paint

Mural in a Weekend – Events at a Glance

• Artist/Painter Meet Up at the mural site – Oct. 7, 5 pm
• Mural Painting – Oct. 8 & 9, 8 am to 5 pm
• Art & Entertainment in the Square – 8 & 9, 12 to 5 pm
• Guided Mural Tours, meet at Cypress Gallery – Oct. 8 & 9, 1 pm
• Drama Presentations at Stone Pine Hall – Oct. 8 & 9, 2 pm
• Open Houses at Historic Old Town sites – Oct. 8
• Sculpture Garden Dedication at Stone Pine Hall – Oct. 8, 1:30 pm
• Fall Art Show & Reception at Cypress Gallery – Oct. 8, 2 to 4 pm
• Vino & Brushes with Discovery Gallery at D’Vine Wine Bar – Oct. 8, 3:30 to 5:30 pm
• Adhesive Assault: A Showcase of Sticker Art at New Lows – Oct. 8, 4 to 11 pm
• Victorian Garden Dedication at Lompoc Museum – Oct. 9, 1:30 pm
• New Mural Dedication Ceremony – Oct. 9, 5:30 pm

Festivities kick off on Friday, October 7, when participants can get a preview of what’s to come at the Artist/Painter Meet-Up at 5 pm at the mural site, 100 South H Street (the back side of American Title building). Mortimer and others from the Lompoc Mural Society will be on hand to provide the inside scoop of the weekend’s events, and discuss how the painting will be done. Mural painting will commence Saturday morning at 8 am. Those interested in painting will be required to sign a waiver in order to participate.

On Saturday and Sunday, from noon to 5 pm, Art & Entertainment in the Square at Centennial Square (Cypress Avenue and So. H Street) will showcase the local art scene, and provide attendees with an opportunity to view and purchase art, and enjoy musical entertainment at the Gazebo.

Guided Mural Tours, led by artists from the Lompoc Mural Society, will be offered both days at 1 pm. Those interested in the guided, one-hour walking tours are asked to gather at 12:45 at the Cypress Gallery flag pole. Visitors can also opt for a self-guided tours of the murals any time.

Download Mural Map

The Lompoc Valley Art Association is celebrating its 50^th Anniversary with a Fall Art Reception on Saturday, from 2 to 4 pm at Cypress Gallery, 119 E. Cypress Avenue. This juried show welcomes artists from throughout the region to participate. At the reception, awards will be presented, and visitors will be treated to refreshments and an opportunity to participate in a drawing for a ‘Mystery Art Prize’. Throughout the year, Cypress Gallery showcases the works of over 60 well-known artists specializing in watercolors, oils, acrylics, pastels, mixed media, ceramics and other techniques.

Drama presentations by Lompoc Civic Theatre are slated for Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm at Stone Pine Hall, 210 So. H Street. The presentations will include a preview scene from the fall production of “California Suite” and a reading of one-act plays by Al Thompson and Michael Callahan. The Lompoc Civic Theatre, formed in 1973, has produced over 130 full-length plays, musicals, one acts, dinner theaters, murder mystery parties, and variety shows.

On Saturday, from 3:30 to 5:30 pm, budding artists will have an opportunity to create their own paintings while sipping local wine at Vino & Brushes presented by Discovery Gallery at D’Vine Wine Bar & Bistro, 107 W. Ocean Avenue. Space is limited; Preregistration and prepayment ($40)  is required. Email Rhonad at lightfootk@gmail.com to sign-up. Following the painting session, Discovery Gallery will host a “Meet the Artist Reception” with artist John Seidenberg, starting at 5:30 pm at D’Vine.

In a spotlight on the worldwide street art subculture of sticker art, New Lows and curator Cleveland Rewind will present Adhesive Assault: A Showcase of Sticker Art on Saturday, from 4 to 11 pm. The show will feature a giant sticker mural, live wheat-pasting exhibit, featured artist collaborations and mixed media works. There will also be materials and DIY space for attendees to create and share their own stickers. DJs, food vendors, and live art installations will be part of the festivities. All ages welcome from 4­ to 8 pm; adults only (21 and up) from 8 to 11 pm.

Open houses at some of Old Town Lompoc’s most treasured historic sites will provide visitors with a rare chance to tour all in one weekend and learn about Lompoc’s history. In addition, the Lompoc Museum (200 S. H Street) will offer extended hours both days from 10 am to 4 pm so visitors can  view exhibits and displays on the history of the Lompoc Valley and the region. Two Garden Dedications are slated during the weekend at the Lompoc Museum: Sculpture Garden at Stone Pine Hall (Sat. 1:30 pm) and Victorian Corner at Lompoc Museum (Sun. 1:30 pm).

Artesia School Museum Open House, Sat. 2 to 4 pm – This historic school building was fully restored and refurbished by the Lompoc Valley Historical Society and the Lompoc Museum with many of its original furnishings and fixtures donated by former students. The Artesia Schoolhouse, located at Chestnut and H Street, is a City and County Landmark.

Fabing-McKay-Spanne House Open House, Sat. 11 am to 3 pm – This impressive Victorian, located at 207 N. L Street, was built in 1875 by Henry Fabing, a blacksmith and harness-maker from New York. It was the first two story wooden residence built in Lompoc.

Fire Station #1 Open House, Sat. 10 am to 4 pm – Located on its original site at 115 So. G Street, Fire Station #1 now serves as the Lompoc Fire Department’s Administrative Headquarters. The Lompoc Library Bookmobile Visit will be stationed nearby.

To conclude the weekend festivities, everyone is invited to the Mural Dedication Ceremony on Sunday at 5:30 pm when artists, painters and the community at large will gather for a ribbon cutting and commemorative photo.

Mural in a Weekend, presented by Explore Lompoc in partnership with the Lompoc Mural Society, Lompoc Valley Art Association and Lompoc Valley Arts Council, is being sponsored by Visit Lompoc LLC (dba Explore Lompoc), City of Lompoc, Coast Hills Credit Union, Lompoc Valley Art Association, Santa Barbara Arts Commission,  Santa Barbara Bowl and Santa Barbara Foundation.

About the Master Artist: Art Mortimer

Art Mortimer is no stranger to Lompoc’s art scene.  He painted Lompoc’s first commissioned mural in 1989, the ‘History of the Flower Industry’ located at the corner of Ocean Avenue and ‘H’ Street.  He also helped paint Lompoc’s first ‘Mural in a Day’ “Chumash Indians”  back in 1992, and the next year, came back as the Master Artist for Lompoc’s second Mural in a Day “Old Town Lompoc.’ Perhaps most memorable, Mortimer served as Master Artist for the ‘Great Floral Flag’ mural, commemorating the planting of a hug American flag in flowers by one of the local flower seed companies as a patriotic gesture during World War II.  He returned again in 2001 as Master Artist for the ‘Flora & Fauna’ mural.

Since 1971, Mortimer has painted nearly 100 murals throughout the United States. He is considered one of the originators of the mural movement in Los Angeles. His mural work has been featured in numerous exhibitions and photographic collections as well as in newspapers, magazines, books, television and films. He resides in West Los Angeles.

About Lompoc

The city of Lompoc is filled with natural beauty and small town charm. Located on scenic Pacific Coast Highway 1, just 155 miles northwest from Los Angeles with close proximity to Santa Barbara and Solvang, Lompoc takes on a world of its own.  Its valley setting, surrounded by spectacular rolling hills and vineyards, creates an invitation for visitors to detour off the main road, and discover what’s around the bend.

Lompoc is a destination for golf, skydiving, biking (road, trails, BMX Bike Park), hiking and nearby surfing at Jalama Beach.  Lompoc is the also gateway to the Sta. Rita Hills wine AVA, and home the incredible Lompoc Wine Ghetto and Lompoc Valley Wine Trail, featuring a collection of 30 boutique tasting rooms throughout the city. Lompoc offers a variety of budget-friendly lodging options to choose from – Book your Hotel

For more information:
Media Contact: Janis Flippen, Explore Lompoc PR Rep, (805) 389-9495, janis@janisflippenpr.com