But, the beautiful Lupines bring some peace and it is easy to realize how important nature and the arts can be.
I hope this post finds all of you healthy and happy and safe. Peace.
Folsom Lake Quarantine Lupine Walk
Sacramento
Wide Open Walls 916 – Sacramento larger than life
Whenever something brings me downtown it’s always fun to try and find some new murals. After a few years of the festival murals are everywhere ripe for the picking. Murals wrap every side of this building making it far more interesting than it likely was before! Do you have any good street art where you are? 
Wanna see the front door? Check out my Thursday Door post!
Open Studio with Dacy
We attended the open studio of artist Dacy Kolsky in downtown Sacramento recently and really enjoyed her art and the vibe of being in her studio. Check out her mixed media collage work! Her art has an neon Andy Warhol meets 80’s throwback vibe from the time before digital when everything was actually done by hand.
What’s your favorite piece? Support your local artists!
Email dacy@modernpoppy.com
Wide Open Walls 916 Sacramento-Del Paso
Over the summer a really exciting street art event (Wide Open Walls 916) came to Sacramento which painted the walls…literally. It took a seemingly benign wall or building and turned it in to something amazing. I posted previously on some great selections from the event located in downtown Sacramento. I was so impressed I decided to head to another area of town which was of focus for the event which I had not had time to visit previously – Del Paso. I was most looking forward to seeing the the rainbow colored installation directly below because I was drawn to the bright and cheerful colors. I was underwhelmed to say the least not by the art but by the building and it’s surroundings. This is a classic example of the reality of what surrounds a photo. I’m sure the artist is less than thrilled with what became of his piece. The overall environment left a little to be desired and so did the art but I thought I would share for the fun of it. I still can’t wait for the event to come back again next year…
Anyone else ever visited a location that turned out to be something other than they expected or became run down after the initial blush? 
California State Indian Museum
In the shadow of Sutter’s Fort sits the small but lovely California State Indian Museum. The museum was created in 1940 and tells the story of many of the Indian tribes of California. It highlights more than 60 indigenous groups who lived in our great state long before Mr. Sutter brought his Fort to the area and long before the Gold Rush encouraged waves of people to come out West.
Highlights of the museum are an impressive grouping of baskets, an 18 foot Yurok Redwood Canoe, a large number of beautiful photographs of Indigenous peoples in native outfits during dances or traditional activities, and detailed handmade clothing.
The relationship between California and the local Indian tribes has been a complicated one over time. Disease brought by Europeans, forced movement, slaughter, and destruction of the local environment have changed the face of indigenous people forever. This museum tells the story of California Indian heritage through physical items, clothing, photographs, landscaping, local events, and music and dance. It is a lovely reminder of the pride and history of the first Californians. I only wish the museum were bigger and housed even more beautiful artifacts because I know there is much more to see.
Rattlesnake!
Take note of the feathers weaved in to the spectacular smaller baskets.
This thing is HUGE and must weigh an enormous amount.
Not sure what these berries are. I can’t say I ever remember seeing them in the area but they were beautiful.
Sutter’s Fort – Sacramento, California
The little one and I got out of the house recently and visited the Sacramento landmark of Sutter’s Fort. This adobe fort was built in 1840, early in Sacramento’s history, for the purposes of trade by John Sutter with the coerced permission of the local Nisenan Indians and randomly with the help of Hawaiian laborers. Sutter was granted Mexican citizenship in 1840 and the Land Grant for the area in exchange for keeping local Indian tribes “in order.” It was closed shortly after gold was discovered in Coloma sparking the 49r Gold Rush.
The fort has been lovingly restored and the California State Parks service does a great job displaying the period with detailed rooms depicting each of the trades and functions of the fort; Carpenter shop, Millstone, Gunsmith, Blacksmith, Guard Room, Kitchen, Bakery, and Weaving Rooms. The Fort sits on a beautifully maintained garden neighboring the California State Indian Museum.
It has always amazed me that my fellow Sacramentans restored, saved, and preserved this special spot because it is surrounded by period houses, hospital high rises, vibrant bars, all in the heart of downtown Sacramento. It is prime real estate as they say.
Local Girl Scout Groups dress up in period costume for their visit. (I remember doing that not so many years ago!)
Wide Open Walls 916 – Sacramento Street Art Festival
Wide Open Walls hosted multiple events spanning multiple weeks this August in downtown Sacramento painting the city walls with street art! Several areas of downtown have been transformed by local and international artists. Locals watched the art being made, attended a number of hosted street parties, and even download an app for a guided walking tour of the various locations of public art pieces.
I took note of a few of the locations to visit while downtown last weekend and it did not disappoint! I’m proud of my city for allowing something as exciting and forward as this public art exhibit. I am proud Sacramento is finally becoming a world class city by promoting the arts in a modern way. I look forward to next year where they will hopefully do it again in other parts of the city.
Is their interesting street art in your city? What’s your favorite public art piece captured below?
Do you have a post or a blog on street art you want to share? Please feel free to share your link here so we can all enjoy! And feel free to share this post so others can enjoy. Comments are always encouraged and welcomed!
Seeing a photo of the Princess on Instagram is what led me to Wide Open Walls. I went downtown looking for her and found all of the rest of this interesting and awesome art.
It’s hard to make garbage cans look good but they managed it!
How cool is this? 3D!
This one seemed to get a lot of attention by people walking around.
This is a representation of the famed Sacramento Tower Bridge.
Not sure what this is but I like it. And it was HUGE.
Rainbow version of our beautiful State Flag.
Take note of the ladies posing for selfies. I saw this in front of almost all of the art. People were posing and talking about posting it on social media like it was very serious business.
Like what you see? Love street art? Check out some Parisian Street Art by clicking here! I would love to know what you think.
Fairytale Town- Sacramento, California
Fairytale town, located in Land Park, is a staple for all young Sacramentans. I came here as a kid and recently took my young son for the first time. Memories came flooding back. The park has been gussied up thank goodness with fresh paint and new additions everywhere. This is great since it was a little tired in the 70’s when I was a kid. (Doing the math though, it makes sense, because most of the park was built in the 50’s so it was already old when I was running around climbing on fantastic representations of our favorite fairytales.)
The crooked mile is as crooked as I remember, the old lady is still living in her shoe, the three little pigs are probably on their 20th generation by now, and kids can still have a safe place to run around and be free even on a life size piece of Swiss cheese if they so desire.
I’ve never heard of a place like this anywhere else short of Disneyland and the other large, busy, and expensive amusement parks. Does anyone have anything like this on their end of the world?
Mind you head!
We were treated to a violin concert by a group of little ones.
The crooked mile may not be an actual mile but it still charms the kids the same way it did when I was young.
Barn Find Doors
Sometimes a once useful thing becomes more interesting as it decays…
This post was inspired by Norm and his Thursday doors! I was hoping he might get a kick out of my original take on the idea. 😉
Downtown Sacramento Icon
If you have spent any time in downtown Sacramento you can’t miss these iconic landmarks located in East Sacramento off Alhambra. In recent years the ugly ol’ water tower has been gussied up with a cool light feature which somehow makes it new and interesting. And it juxtaposed with the fire training tower has always somehow garnered my interest. In an area where property is expensive and at a premium I still can’t believe these random icons are still standing. 
Bulldog Travels / Photos By Jenny 