ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Elk Grove received one of its first large-scale murals on Saturday, Sept. 13 with the unveiling of “The Elk” on Bartholomew Barn, located at Christopher Cellars, 9654 Bradshaw Road.

The mural was painted by local artist Jenn Ponci, who works with art organization Wide Open Walls. Its centerpiece is a vibrantly painted elk framed by grapevines and vineyard views, tying the artwork to its winery setting.

Community members and art enthusiasts gathered that evening to meet the artist, enjoy live music and celebrate the addition of a new public art piece to the city. The unveiling coincided with Elk Grove’s 25th anniversary, marking a step toward strengthening the city’s arts scene in the years ahead.

“This is our first venture into Elk Grove; the 25th anniversary mural here,” said Wide Open Walls Founder David Sobon. He told the Elk Grove Citizen that Wide Open Walls began by focusing on murals in downtown Sacramento but now, in its ninth year, has expanded into surrounding communities.

“Our mission in the very beginning was art for all. Basically, creating art in public spaces for everybody to enjoy,” Sobon said.

 

The new mural, titled “The Elk,” was painted by local artist Jenn Ponci, who works with art organization Wide Open Walls. Its centerpiece is a vibrantly painted elk framed by grapevines and vineyard views, tying the artwork to its winery setting. Photos by ASlyFilm

He added that the organization has emphasized school partnerships through its Wide Open Walls Uplifting Schools initiative, which has produced about 225 murals at schools and roughly 250 community murals.

Sobon noted that although Wide Open Walls was one of two finalists considered to coordinate the city’s inaugural Mural Festival, the Elk Grove City Council ultimately chose a different vendor during its Sept. 10 meeting.

The Arts and Creative Economy Commission reviewed five applicants before making its recommendation. Commission Chair Brian Rickel told the council the decision was a “very close conversation.”

Still, Sobon said the outcome does not prevent the organization from continuing its work in Elk Grove through privately funded projects and that he still hopes to collaborate with the city in the future. Two more murals are set to be completed this month, one at the nonprofit XHope’s warehouse and another at Elk Grove Food Bank Services.

For this first Elk Grove project, Sobon partnered with Bret Bartholomew, a seventh-generation Elk Grovian and active community leader. Bartholomew, who serves as president of the Elk Grove Historical Society and sits on the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce board, recently joined Wide Open Walls as a board member.

 

Here is an aerial shot of the new public mural that was unveiled on Saturday, Sept. 13 in celebration of Elk Grove’s 25th anniversary and marks a step toward strengthening the city’s arts scene in the years ahead.

His family has deep roots in the city starting with Bartholomew Family Vineyards, which has been family-operated for more than 20 years. The Bartholomew name can also be found at local parks named in the family’s honor.

His father, Hal Bartholomew, is a longtime community leader who played a key role in Elk Grove’s incorporation as president of the Incorporation Committee in 2000 and attended the unveiling celebration on Sept. 13.

Bartholomew said the barn that now hosts the mural has served many purposes over the years, from housing his great grandfather’s land-leveling business to providing space for high schoolers to build homecoming floats and functioning as a storage unit for two decades.

“It’s had multiple iterations,” Bartholomew said. “I think where we’re at now is just the next step.”

He added that art is a “broad term” that extends beyond painting, emphasizing the value of creating a space for music, gatherings and shared experiences.

“A winery seems like a logical place for people to come, let loose and relax,” Bartholomew said. “… Hopefully, with the mural being here, this signals to artists and the community that they’re welcome to experience the winery, Elk Grove and have that ‘third space’ to congregate other than work or home.”