KING CITY — A dedication ceremony was planned last Tuesday for King City’s first historic mural, located at First and Broadway streets, depicting the town’s historic train depot circa 1886.
Former resident and lead artist Jennifer Beebe-Hargrove designed the mural, aptly named “Historic Kings Station Train Depot Mural,” which was sponsored by King City in Bloom’s Mural Committee along with grant funding from the Monterey County Arts Council.
The mural is an almost mirror rendition of the depot’s original location across the street at the Southern Pacific train tracks.
“I just can’t say enough about the incredible amount of time and effort given for this project from so many in the community and especially from our King City in Bloom Board and members. They are the best,” said Laurie Slaten, chairwoman of King City in Bloom, at the April 23 ceremony. “We are genuinely appreciative of the wonderful financial support received from the Arts Council for Monterey County’s grant program in association with the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, as well as with our own King City in Bloom dedicated donors.”
Work began on the mural last year with a volunteer crew of local artists lending their creative hand alongside Beebe-Hargrove for several months. Since then, a wooden frame was installed around the mural in addition to a dedication plaque.
“It has truly been an amazing and energizing project for the beautification of our community in so many positive ways,” Slaten said. “King City in Bloom is so very grateful for all who participated in and supported this mural masterpiece endeavor, and we hope the people of the City of King and visitors as well will enjoy it for years to come.”
Also during the ceremony, Slaten announced the organization’s second mural, which will be located at El Pueblo Market’s exterior west wall in the parking lot off Broadway Street, pending approval from City Hall. The new mural will feature the Salinas Valley agriculture.
