There’s light at the end of the tunnel for the latest public art project in downtown Hollister.
The Fremont Elementary Memorial Tunnel project involves the painting of a mural within the Fourth Street underpass leading to the San Benito County Courthouse.
The mural project is under way and has an expected completion in the coming weeks.
“Everything should be completed by the end of June,” said Jennifer Laine, executive director of the San Benito County Arts Council.
The project is a funding partnership of the arts council and Hollister Downtown Association. The HDA is paying for the preparation and lighting at the site, while the arts council is funding the artist fee through a Creative California Communities grant by way of the California Arts Council, Laine said.
Arturo Rosette, a Gavilan College professor, is the artist overseeing the mural and he will involve students as well.
So far, there has been prep paintwork from Hollister Paint and graffiti abatement by the League of United Latin American Citizens chapter in the county, said Gordon Machado, vice president of the HDA.
While there is an undercoating showing now, the completed mural will focus on the history of the Fremont School site and it will include children and adult silhouettes along with quotes from school alumni, Laine said. There also will be geographic and historical references to San Benito County. Additionally, the artist is painting the old arches that spanned the grounds, Machado said.
