Examples of the numerous damaged areas on the 4,200 square foot mural covering all four walls of the mural room:
Cracking paint on a scroll detail of the mural
Paint is literally crumbling off of the mural surface |
The second floor of the Historic Santa Barbara Courthouse houses a project dear to our hearts, the restoration of the magnificent 4,200 square feet of hand painted murals. The lighting in the Mural Room is restored and updated and reopened to the public May 31, 2015.
Cost
The total cost for the Mural Room repairs was almost $575,000 and was completed on time and under budget.
Background
Following an electrical fire in 2010, the mural needed to be cleaned due to smoke damage. It was during the cleaning that we discovered the extent of deterioration of the canvas, the paint, and the plaster.
Progress
We started our Mural Room fundraising campaign in late December 2012. We completed the restoration of the mural ahead of schedule and are finalized lighting restoration and restoration on time.
Read this wonderful article from SB Season Magazine about the history of this magnificent room. Click here to read the article.
Project Slideshow
Where the first Board of Supervisors sat in the Mural Room
CLF board member Keith Mautino
Check in with Barbara Lowenthal, Jennifer Ono and Carol Fell
The crowd awaits entry into the Mural Room
Peek inside!
Sharon Bradford, Jeremy Tittle, Mayor Helene Schneider, Board Pres. Bill Mahan, Master of Ceremonies, Nyna Mahan, Patricia and Frank Goss
The room is ready for guests!
Anne and Michael Towbes with Judge George Eskin
Auctioneer and Host, Frank Goss
Board Chair, Bill Mahan and wife, Nyna
Board members mix with honored guests
Mural Room ceiling and window treatments are also works of art!
Joyce Dudley, District Attorney, and John Dudley
Auctioneer shows the way to our fundraising goal!
County Architect Robert Ooley as Dan Sayer Grosbeck, Mural Room artist
John Fremont 'steps out' of the canvas to greet the crowd
Mural comes to life with Robin Hood
Why CLF exists...to care for YOUR Courthouse!