Magical Classical Mural Tour
By Chris Murphy
Modesto USA, the birthplace of American Graffiti. Modesto is the home of the original “Where were you in ’62” high school class. Our people and places were the inspiration for George Lucas’ 1973 film that paved the road of nostalgia, changed modern film making and put the soundtrack front and center, right there with the classic cars and the cruising. Downtown Modesto is home to the Modesto Historic Cruise Route of 10th and 11th Streets.
These were the streets where it all began. “Draggin’ 10th” as it was known back in the 40s and 50s. The cars, the girls, the music, the fun, the pranks and the coming of age all wrapped up on the streets of Downtown Modesto. Legendary custom car creator and Modesto native Gene Winfield built some of his most famous cars. Downtown Modesto has a certain retro feel that brings back the simpler days and mixes it up with modern music, arts and culture. As we walk our streets, it is fun to take a look back and remember those magical classic times.
Classic Community Murals of Modesto was created to bring those moments back and make them larger than life for tourists and our own residents alike. This is a great team project with the Peer Recovery Project and Gallery, ModestoView Magazine, Wells Fargo, Sierra Pacific Warehouse Group and our local talented artists. Many of the businesses where the murals are painted have partnered with Classic Community Murals and this is how teamwork gets things done.
It all started with a ’32 Deuce Coupe. The classic car from American Graffiti driven by John Milner (actor Paul LeMat). This car has become synonymous worldwide with the Graffiti experience. This first mural was painted on the wall of the Peer Recovery Gallery at 13th and J Street in downtown Modesto. Stop by and snap your selfie with one of the most iconic classic cars ever, painted with spray can by Aaron Vickery FASM. Community artists got together to paint the Vintage Flower Truck and a huge ’57 Chevy looms over J Street at the Modesto Chamber of Commerce.
The amazing street rod airbrushing talents of Tom “Giant” Nye have created some of our iconic works on Downey Street and even on the legendary Neville Brothers car shop. The newest was just finished at 1511 McHenry was sponsored by the Modesto Police Officer Association. Teamwork is the key to create these wonderful works of art that are out in public for all to see and tell our story.
Thanks to the teams that made this happen: ModestoView www.modestoview.com, Wells Fargo Bank www.wellsfargo.com, Peer Recovery Art Project www.peerrecoveryartproject.org Sierra Pacific Warehouse Group and our talented community artists.
Stop by and check out the murals and make sure you tell a friend and post your pics with #classicmodestomurals
If you want to get involved, visit our Facebook at: www.facebook.com/classiccommunitymurals and message us.
You can also see more about our murals at www.healthiercommunityartsinitiative.com
John Black – Peer Recovery Art Project peerrecoveryart@yahoo.com<mailto:peerrecoveryart@yahoo.com>
Chris Murphy – ModestoView chrism@modestoview.com<mailto:chrism@modestoview.com>
Mural Locations
10th and J – 57 Chevy – Modesto Chamber of Commerce
1700 McHenry – 57 Chevy Cruise – McHenry Village
13th and J – 32 Deuce Coupe – Peer Recovery Gallery
305 Downey – 4 Panel Cruise Mural
723 Needham – Cruise Under the Arch – Neville Brothers
9th & N St – Fresh Ideas Flowers – Vintage Flower Truck
207 McHenry – Submarine Races
1511 McHenry – Modesto Police Cruising
