Enjoy Live music, film screening, panel discussion with local artists, city planners, and members of the project 

ATASCADERO — The Equality Mural Project is a collective of local artists and community members dedicated to bringing ten painted murals to downtown Atascadero that promotes equality for all. 

To promote the project, the Equality Mural Project is hosting an outdoor evening of live music, film screening, and panel discussion on Friday, Jun. 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. outside the Atascadero Printery located at 6351 Olmeda Ave in Atascadero. 

The documentary Alice Street by director Spencer Wilkinson features a thriving cultural center and community-valued mural in Oakland, located on 14th and Alice Street. With a run time of 67 minutes, the documentary is a rallying cry to protect the cultural arts. 

Director Spencer Wilkinson will be at the event to introduce the film and speak on a panel of local artists, city planners, and members of the project. 

Alice Street was also virtually featured in March at the 2021 SLO Film Fest, so Wilkinson is excited to have the opportunity to screen the documentary in person in SLO County and further discuss the value of public art. 

The Jun. 18 screening of Alice Street in Atascadero is part of the film’s “Summer Impact Tour,” taking place in communities throughout California. Attendees can find more about the documentary and watch the trailer by visiting the film’s website at Alice Street Film.com. 

To kick off the evening, hip hop funk band Wordsauce will perform a 45-minute set starting at 6:30 p.m. To support EMP’s mission to bring murals to Atascadero, promoting equality for all, Wordsauce is donating its time, labor, energy, and talent. 

“We’re down to support the arts, and we’ll bring the energy,” said Wordsauce lead singer Wesley Price. “Live music is coming back, and we’re eager to play for the community and support a good cause.” 

The event will be the first public fundraiser for the Equality Mural Project. The inaugural mural “Nature is For Everyone” by local artist Brandy Lee Pippen was already approved by the City and set to be painted this year on the north side of 5760 El Camino Real, a building occupied by locally-owned small business Brü Coffee. 

Pippen, in her artist statement, explained, “I would like this piece of art to empower all to enjoy, share, and preserve the nature we are able to all enjoy on the Central Coast.”

The kick-off fundraising event is the public launch for Equality Mural Project to inform the community about its mission. They are currently looking for more corporate, small business, and private sponsors. 

Five of the ten murals have already been funded through donations from Pacific Western Bank, Atascadero Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID), Z Villages, Atascadero City Council Member Charles Bourbeau, Mike, and Peggy Zappas, with additional support from the San Luis Obispo County Arts Council, The ARTery, and Sherwin Williams Paint. 

The fundraising event is co-sponsored by San Luis Obispo County Arts Council and The Atascadero Printery Foundation with additional support and generous donations from Castoro Cellars, Wild Fields Brewing, Sauce Pot Studios, the ARTery, Z Villages, and Harvey Honey Huts. 

A limited number of tickets are being released for $10 in advance or $15 at the door. For more information, visit the Facebook event page and Purchase tickets on Eventbrite