KING CITY — Seven new sidewalk murals marking routes to schools and youth destinations throughout King City were the focus of a community art walk last Thursday, bringing residents together to view the artwork and recognize the artists behind the installations.
The Oct. 15 walk was organized by the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC), the City of King and Sol Treasures as part of TAMC’s Safe Routes to School program.
Participants followed an approximately 2.4-mile route that began in front of the King City Pools at 401 Division St. and continued to all seven mural locations, ending at San Antonio Skate Park.
The murals feature a range of designs and themes. They include “The Quiet Lands” at King City Recreation Department, 401 Division St.; “Just Keep Movin” at King City Library, 402 Broadway St.; “Pathway to the Future” at Santa Lucia Elementary School, 502 Collins St.; “Carried by the Same Wind” at St. John’s Catholic Church, 504 N. Third St.; “From the Fields to the Stars” at Del Rey Elementary School, 502 King St.; “Solar System Hopscotch” at Creekbridge Baseball Park, at San Antonio Drive and Mildred Street; and “Rule with Love” at San Antonio Skate Park, 1245 Bedford Ave.
The project began earlier this spring, when TAMC invited local elementary, middle and high school or college students, adult amateur artists and professional artists to submit designs. A community steering committee reviewed submissions and prepared ballots, allowing residents to vote for their favorite artwork.
“A community steering committee created community ballots with the artwork that best met the criteria in the call for art, and then the greater community had a chance to vote on their favorite artwork,” said TAMC officials.
The seven large murals were designed and painted by professional artists, including Valentino Melchor, Mimi Black, Luis Fausto Rodriguez, Jesus Nunez Navarro and Brenda Scettrini Saglio.
Smaller artwork from student and amateur artist categories is scheduled for installation along routes to Santa Lucia and Del Rey elementary schools in spring 2027.
The sidewalk art project is part of the larger San Antonio Path and Safe Routes to School initiative, a partnership involving the City of King, TAMC, Ecology Action, the Monterey County Health Department, Sol Treasures and other community partners.
“The goal is to transform public streets into healthy spaces for kids, teachers and community members to walk, roll and move about in their neighborhoods,” said TAMC officials.
The project is funded through a California Department of Transportation Active Transportation Program grant and local Measure X transportation sales tax funds. Artwork not selected for installation will be featured on the Monterey County Safe Routes to School website at saferoutesmonterey.org.
