San Carlos unveils centennial mural

The lead artists, Shari Bryant, Deb Shea and Amber Smith dedicated countless hours and most of their mornings for two months to encapsulating the essence of San Carlos, and involving the community along the way. 

The mural is marked off by decades, against a background spectrum of colorful triangles and a path running through creating a timeline. Trains, depots, San Carlos founder Fred Drake, and the former Circle Star Theater are featured. The Hiller Aviation Museum, traditions kept alive during Hometown Days, and native flora and fauna are also highlights. 

A milestone of progress is also marked by multiple population signs signaling how much the city has grown since its 600-population in 1925. 

“It warms my heart to see children, families and longtime residents follow the path through history, to see some of what has been, and what is now,” Shea said. “Thats really what it’s all about.” 

The mural invites multiple generations of San Carlos residents to reminisce and learn, and it was painted with a similar value in mind. 

The tail end of the mural near Harrington Park features elements painted by aspiring artists from Sequoia High School, who incorporated robots in their work to blur the line between the present and future. 

The mural was completed three weeks ahead of schedule, which was a surprise to everyone involved, but attributed to the help of virtual reality. A VR MediQuest headset helped plot the mural graphics and helped move along the process, Bryant said. 

The three lead artists are from Art Bias, an artist collective based in San Carlos. The project began when Art Bias Executive Director Terra Fuller applied to the San Carlos Centennial Grant Program, toward which the city has allocated funds for various celebrations this year. 

“We believe access to art is essential to good living,” Art Bias Executive Director Terra Fuller said. 

Reflecting on the project, Bryant shared that during the painting process, her mother passed away after a battle with cancer. Bryant credited the project for helping her cope.

“Art is therapy. Art is healing. It’s emotion, it’s pain, it’s elation, it’s happiness,” Bryant said. “I know I’ve experienced all these things during this project.” 

A pink plumeria painted near the 1945 marker is included in honor of Bryant’s mother, Precilla Bryant.

Shea and Smith spoke to the mural’s impact on themselves and the community, as well. 

“Our art is our love language and this is our gift to you,” Shea said.