JESS WEAVER, JVP Communications for the Tahoe Fund
(530) 448-6981 or jessica@jvpcommunications.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Officials hope murals depicting Tahoe’s plants, animals, and beautiful landscapes will reduce vandalism, inspire people to take care of Tahoe
TAHOE CITY, Calif. (Feb. 28, 2024) – Today, the Tahoe Fund and USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) announced a call for community-based artists to “beautify” the blank interiors of the restrooms at the Stateline Fire Lookout Trail in Crystal Bay, the Logan Shoals Vista Point on Tahoe’s East Shore, and the Tallac Historic Site on the South Shore.
“We are excited to rally the creativity of our local artist community,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “By painting murals on the walls inside the restrooms, we hope to inspire people to take better care of these spaces and—by extension—the Tahoe environment.”
Inspired by a similar idea from the Bureau of Land Management in Henry Lake, Idaho, the intention of this mural project is to enlist artists and community groups in the California and Nevada area to complete the artwork.
“We’re looking for artists who can use their creativity to seamlessly establish a ‘sense of place’ within the Tahoe region and also inspire people to be stewards of the environment,” said Daniel Cressy, Public Services Staff Officer, LTBMU. “Just like visitors in Henry Lake have experienced, our hope is that surprise encounters with art that depicts the beauty that surrounds us in Tahoe will be a fun, memorable way to think about how each of us can make a difference.”
In Idaho, the response to the restroom art has been well-received, with visitors saying things like: “I’ve been in many campground bathrooms. This one is the best by far!,” “Your art in the john surprised me and made my day! Thank you!!,” and “I swear those bathrooms are going to end up on TripAdvisor as one of the ‘must see’s…”.
Paint for each mural will be generously supplied by Kelly Brothers Painting.
Artists interested in submitting a proposal for consideration will need to do so through this Google Form time-stamped no later than 6 p.m. Pacific Time Friday, March 29, 2024. Artists will be judged and selected by the Tahoe Fund, LTBMU and select community members in April. Mural installation will occur in May 2024, weather permitting.
Learn more about the project and submission criteria at https://tahoefund.org/paintamural
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About the Tahoe Fund
The Tahoe Fund is a nonprofit founded in 2010 to support environmental improvement projects that restore lake clarity, enhance sustainable recreation, promote healthier forests, improve transportation, and inspire greater stewardship of the region. Through the generous support of its donors, the Tahoe Fund has leveraged more than $20 million in private funds to secure nearly $80 million in public funds for more than 130 environmental projects. Learn more at www.tahoefund.org.
About the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
