Lompoc Visitors Guide

Lompoc Valley Visitors Guide 25 T he Lompoc Mural Project was con- ceived in 1988 when Gene and Judy Stevens visited Chemainus, Brit- ish Columbia. They were impressed that a small community of only 3,500 people, which was literally dying because its ma- jor industry had shut down, was using art as the major economic rebuilding tool. The town had been developing tourism with the help of murals. Gene and Judy brought the idea back to Lompoc where they shared it with Marilyn Oliver, who is a native of British Columbia. She too had entertained the same thought. In August of 1988 about 80 people attended a town meeting called to discuss the possibility of using the same concept to help Lompoc’s declining “Old Town.” The response from the group was enthusiastic and a Board of Directors was formed. Lompoc’s first mural was of the “Flower Industry” painted in 1990 by Santa Monica artist, Art Mortimer. Today, Lompoc has close to 30 major commissioned murals in its inventory. They all depict a part of Lompoc’s history and are located primarily in the old downtown area. There are also dozens of smaller murals within the community. Some of these have been BIG ART... Lompoc’s Outdoor Art Gallery