The Gustine Historical Society is in the process of creating a mural at the Al Goman Center that will honor Gustine’s rich history and trace the city’s development from its beginnings to 1915.
The mural project was recently presented to the Gustine City Council and described as an artistic endeavor and community-oriented effort to preserve and promote the city’s heritage for future generations.
“Our main goal was to show our youth the history of our great city from its founding to 1915,” said Mary Ann Bloom, president of the Gustine Historical Society, at the meeting. “We also looked at similar projects in other communities, particularly in Riverbank, where we connected with our artist and visited her installations in Riverbank. This helped us envision what could be possible for Gustine.”
The process of selecting the mural’s content was a comprehensive and collaborative effort, Bloom explained. The Gustine Historical Society, led by local historian Pat Snoke, carefully reviewed an extensive collection of historical photographs and documents. “We formed a committee of five members and thought together about what we wanted to show on the mural,” Bloom explained. “Under Pat Snoke’s guidance, we sifted through tons of images and ideas and ultimately settled on eight key image boxes that would best represent the history of our town.”
The committee’s commitment to accurately portraying Gustine’s history was evident in its rigorous selection process. “It was important to us to involve community members and gather their input. This ensured that the mural reflected the collective memory and pride of Gustine,” said Linda Ouse, a member of the Gustine Historical Society.
The artistic process for the mural includes using high quality, fade-resistant and lightfast paints to ensure the mural’s longevity. Artist Alexandra Riddle begins by sketching the outline of the mural on a lift, carefully planning each section before bringing it to life with vibrant colors and intricate detail.
“I read a comprehensive book on Gustine’s story and reviewed a huge amount of images. We distilled the information into ten main themes, which I then incorporated into the mural,” Riddle said. “To make the mural clear and visually appealing, we decided to use a postcard-style presentation, with each of the eight panels depicting different aspects of Gustine’s story.”
Creating such a detailed and historically accurate mural presented several challenges. The team had to synthesize extensive historical documents and images into a cohesive and engaging work of art.
“We worked with about 50 pages of material and pared it down to the most important elements,” Riddle recalls. “It was a daunting task, but also incredibly rewarding. It was fascinating to learn about Gustine’s history, and we wanted to do justice to the town’s rich past.”
The mural is intended to resonate with both longtime residents and newcomers to Gustine. “We hope to spread the word about history and educate people about the city’s heritage,” Bloom noted. “Whether they come from pioneer families or are new to the area, understanding the history of their community can foster a deeper connection and sense of pride.”
The Al Goman Center, a significant building that has been visited and used by many over the years, is the perfect location for this historic tribute. “The mural will not only beautify the center, but will serve as a constant reminder of our shared history and the values that shaped Gustine,” Bloom said.
The decision about which historical elements to include in the mural was made carefully. “In consultation with Pat Snoke, we focused on what would be most impactful and historically significant,” they explained. “We chose to depict key events and figures up to 1915 to ensure a comprehensive representation of Gustine’s early years.”
Funding for the mural came primarily from the donation of the Matthew Fantazia Estate, with additional support from the community welcome. “When we received the donation, we were in the planning stages of the mural. It was a perfect use of funds that allowed us to promote and preserve our history,” Bloom noted. “Donations earmarked for the mural project are always appreciated as they help us continue our mission.”
The mural’s success has sparked interest in more historical and artistic projects around Gustine. “The Parkway, now with its historic keyboards in the bulletin boards along the walkways, has received positive feedback. We envision it becoming a historic walkway and more educational elements being added over time,” Bloom shared. “This mural is just the beginning. We hope to create more projects that celebrate our city’s heritage and educate the community.”
Looking back on the project, members expressed how rewarding it was. “We learned a lot through the research and involving our families in the process was an eye-opener,” Ouse said.
“I visited the Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, where Henry Miller is on display, which was particularly inspiring. It highlighted the far-reaching impact of our local history,” Riddle said.
The project is scheduled to begin on August 19 and is expected to take about a month to complete.
