Paint brush in hand, David Gutierrez makes the final touches to his latest artwork, a utility box on Tres Pinos Road in Hollister.
“This one has taken me quite a while because of the amount of subject matter,” said Gutierrez, as he reviews the utility box now covered with vibrant scenes of youth engaged in positive activities such as graduating from high school and walking a ropes course.
“The scenes revolve around a program I am a part of called Youth Alliance,” he said. “We run a group, GUIAS (Guiding and Understanding Individuals and Achieving Success) at San Benito High School. We are mentors and advisors to the students in addition to what the school provides.”
The seven panels depict various scenes of the students in action.
“This is a field trip we took to a ropes course. At the front, is graduation. On the left side is mentorship and a scene of our weekly support group,” explained Gutierrez, who uses water-based acrylic paint to create his street-side masterpieces.
Gutierrez and some of his students worked on the motorcycle rally inspired utility box in front of the Vault in the city’s downtown.
“I used that project as a catalyst to get kids and the community to work on mural projects,” said Gutierrez, who is from Hollister and got a degree in studio art at San Diego State University.
But for this artist, being creative is a lifelong passion.
“I’ve been doing art my whole life,” he said. “When I was little I was always drawing. Then I went to Gavilan College and was inspired by my teacher and muralist, Arturo Rosette. He worked on murals at local schools and I helped out on a few in Gilroy while I was there.”
Spearheaded by the San Benito County Arts Council, the utility box project is currently in its second phase.
“In this phase we are doing five boxes,” said executive director Jennifer Laine. “The first phase was in 2015 and we did five murals.”
The project is funded through various sponsorships.
“In this round the arts council sponsored two utility boxes,” explained Laine. “We got a $2600 grant from the Community Foundation for San Benito County for two boxes and the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce sponsored one box.”
Artists and their proposals were decided by the city’s public art review committee, which is made up of artists, an architect and a youth commissioner.
Transforming the utility boxes into works of art is challenging.
“Boxes aren’t just solid sides, there are vents and keyholes,” said Laine. “You really have to make sure it comes out seamless looking while making accommodations for all the different parts of the box.”
The council hopes to do a phase three for three more city-owned utility boxes.
“We want to increase the visibility of art, beautify the city, and highlight local artists,” said Laine. “That really creates a sense of pride in the community.”
