Out & About

By Jessica Laskey
March 2024

Mural Alley

Beautification project brightens East Sac

Sacramento Mural Alley is an East Sacramento beautification project designed to elevate blank walls, doors, fences and other outdoor spaces with public artwork by local artists.

The alley is between 32nd and 33rd streets, just off Folsom Boulevard, and bordered by Archival Gallery, which partnered with home and business owners on the project.

The alley displays murals by artists Robert Bowen, Davy Fiveash, Miles Hermann, Dawn Pedersen, John Stuart Berger and Carrie Cottini. “I am very glad to be able to contribute to public art in my city,” Fiveash says. “I wanted to make a space that would brighten someone’s day.”

In recognition of this public art project, the East Sacramento Chamber of Commerce presented Sacramento Mural Alley with its 2023 Special Place Award. For information, visit sacramentomuralalley.com.

WAYFINDING SIGNS

Have you spotted some brightly colored signposts popping up around Midtown? The Midtown Association installed a wayfinding system to help visitors and residents navigate the area.

The system has 71 navigation posts throughout the district to give suggestions on places to explore, such as dining and entertainment, or locate parking and public transit.

The wayfinding posts are linked to an interactive website that provides information on the project’s 15 destination centers: Alhambra District, Fremont Park, Golden Hub, Governor’s Mansion, Handle District, Lavender Heights at Midtown Central, Marshall Park, Midtown Sutter, Muir Park, Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, Sutter’s Fort, Truitt Bark Park, Winn Park, and 29th and R streets.

For information, visit exploremidtown.org/yourway.

SQUARE DANCING

Want to try square dancing? Capital City Squares, Sacramento’s LGBTQ square dance club, will host two free introductory nights of modern western square dancing in April.

Unlike traditional square dancing, modern western square dancing doesn’t require a partner. Singles are welcome and dress can be casual street clothing with comfortable shoes.

Established in 1981, Capital City Squares is a founding member of the International Association of Gay and Lesbian Square Dance Clubs. Membership is open to all adults.

The free introductory nights are Wednesday, April 3 and April 10, from 6:30–8 p.m. at the Fruitridge Community Center at 4000 Fruitridge Road. Classes are $75 and include club membership and unlimited club night dancing. For information, visit capitalcitysquares.org.

LIBRARY CHECKOUTS

The Sacramento Public Library surpassed 3 million digital checkouts last year—one of only 23 public library systems in the world to do so.

The library provides readers 24/7 access to free ebooks and audiobooks through library reading apps like Libby and Hoopla. It first exceeded 2 million digital items in 2019.

Through the Libby app, library cardholders can check out ebooks, audiobooks and magazines, and find free online classes on how to play musical instruments, decorate cakes, sew and more.

“We’re often met with surprise and delight when people learn what they can do with their library cards,” Library Director and CEO Peter Coyl says. “Last year, we added e-trikes to our collection and the Library of Things to two more locations. Our community has come to expect the unexpected from their library.”

For information, visit saclibrary.org or download the Libby app.

EVENTS CENTER

Sacramento State is getting a new events center that will house the university’s men’s and women’s basketball teams, women’s volleyball and gymnastics teams, and intramural and club sports competitions.

The center also will be a venue for entertainment, arts and guest speakers, with retractable seating that can be rolled out to accommodate large crowds. The center is expected to begin hosting events this fall.

The project will be funded with up to $5.2 million from Union WELL Inc. (the nonprofit that oversees the University Union and The WELL fitness and health facility), and $300,000 from Sac State for the project design.

“Sacramento State is the only public university in the capital of the state with the fifth-largest economy in the world, and we are acting like it,” Sac State President Luke Wood says. “I’m grateful that the Union WELL board supported our vision to position our university to better support student intercollegiate athletics, club sports and recreation sports, and arts and culture.”

RESIDENT ARTIST

Local ceramic artist Marsha Godoy Schindler has been named the Susan Cooley-Gilliom Artist in Residence at Blue Line Arts in Roseville.

Blue Line’s SCG Artist in Residence & Teaching (ART) Program develops and enhances the visual arts through short-term residencies and workshops taught by nationally established artists. Schindler will offer special workshops, lectures and an exhibition at Blue Line over the next several months.

“I remain deeply connected to my early training and the world of flora and fauna,” says Schindler, a biologist. “Science and art, though different paths, operate in similar ways. In each you observe deeply, find patterns and behaviors, and then interpret your observation into a narrative. We are inseparable from the natural world and its stories.”

Schindler’s own East Sac studio, clayARTstudio814, welcomed its first artist in residence, Susan Herre. Check out her work at 814 Alhambra Blvd. For information, visit bluelinearts.org and clayartstudio814.com.

PHOTOGRAPHY MONTH

Now is the time to get involved in Photography Month Sacramento, a monthlong series of events in April, led by Viewpoint Photographic Art Center, that celebrate the art of photography.

Businesses can highlight their photo-related activations, such as special exhibits, receptions, photoshoots, workshops, lectures and field trips. Individuals or groups can launch their own work by asking coffeehouses, wineries, breweries or restaurants to host an exhibit and reception.

Once concepts are confirmed, participants post information about the events on a community-curated calendar supported by Sacramento365.com. For information, visit photomonthsacramento.org.

RIVERFRONT ART

Beautiful new art installations by artist Joshua Sofaer now grace the Sacramento waterfront.

As part of the public art project “River Crossing: I want to communicate with you,” the community submitted nominations to have a public dock in Sacramento or West Sacramento named in their honor. After receiving more than 650 nominations, the two docks were named after local grandmothers Isabel S. Naranjo (Old Sacramento) and Etenesh Zeleke (West Sacramento).

The culmination of the project is Sofaer’s two large-scale light box installations that spell out the docks’ new names in maritime signals. Sofaer says his piece represents “our collective need to honor the people who are most meaningful to us.”

NORCAL CHAMPIONS

The Sacramento Alliance Soccer Club’s Silver Cup under-12 girls team has won the NorCal State Cup.

In the final game against the Marin FC in Modesto, the local team won 5–3 on penalty kicks in what coach Ron Gayton calls a “gutty performance.” The team also won the 2023 spring and fall leagues and can proudly call themselves NorCal champions.

Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @insidesacramento.