.Wonder Wall: Cloverdale Muralist Blanca Molina

This is a story about a mural and the community it embraces. To see a picture of the mural, scan that QR code, or better still, take the old cruising route down Cloverdale Boulevard and wave. It’s on Cloverdale and Second, fronted by blooming crape myrtles and backed by soaring redwoods.

The business end or brush of this mural project is artist Blanca Molina, but it’s a Cloverdale family affair—La Familia Sana initiated the project, and pepster Niko Kimzim facilitated its development through many stages. Encore Dance studio contributed their 60-by-14 foot wall which the mural hugely fills.

One may recognize Molina through her art. Her distinctive and maximalist style can be seen in commissions all over Sonoma County, memorably with special addition IPA cans from Cooperage and Hen House Brewing. She is also famed for her rippling and giggling laugh.

CH: Blanca, this mural is a straight continuation of your graphic work, and its template is a vintage American, “Greetings from X,” postcard style. What more can you say about your style?

BM: That my color palettes are Mexican.

CH: They got sabor. Blanca, I understand that while this mural faces visitors, the most important audience is Cloverdalians—which it is meant to bring together in unity and pride. How did you bring the communities and factions of Cloverdale into the process?

BM: We included Cloverdale through its youth, conducting three workshops with students from Cloverdale High. We asked them what they love about Cloverdale and what were their hopes and wishes for the future. I gave them blank printouts of the block letters of the mural that they could fill with symbols and inspiring words.

CH: I understand that they and the wider community are helping you paint it. Let’s take a tour down the letters of “CLOVERDALE,” which are flanked by Sonoma roses, Cloverdale citrus, California poppies and Mexican cacti. What symbols are in the letter “L?”

BM: The letters of “DALE” are about community. The “L” has a car and a guitar, referring to the car shows and the Friday night music. The ballerina refers to Encore Dance.

CH: I see you have highlighted the letters “LOVE” in “C-LOVE-RDALE,” which front a rising sun.

BM: Yes, I gave it a pink color and flower flourishes. I want people to feel joy, happiness and pride when they see it.

Feel the Love: The ‘unveiling’ of the mural is 6 to 8pm, Friday, Sept. 20, 201 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Suite B, Cloverdale. It’s going to be a Cloverdale party, and everyone’s invited!