The Manteca Mural Society wants to add more murals to downtown.

But in order to do that, they need more members.

The pandemic impacted the volunteer organization’s membership just as it did service clubs, and other community organizations.

 The goals this year, as shared by Society President Charleen Carroll, are:

*to increase membership.

*enlist artists/novice artists to help maintain the 31 established murals.

*explore ideas for a new mural, preserving Manteca and surrounding area’s history.

*invite interested parties to attend and become involved with planning meetings.

Planning meetings are, May 14, Sept 10, and Nov. 12 from noon until 1 p.m.at Raymus Homes at 1433 Suite. 13, Moffat Blvd. Manteca.

A trip to British Columbia inspired Manteca’s high-profile mural undertaking.

The Manteca Mural Society was launched in 2002 after Tom and Gayl Wilson returned from a vacation that took them to Chemainus, British Columbia and its extensive murals.

Tom Wilson, who was involved in the Vision 2020 Task Force consisting of 26 citizens in 1998 that cobbled together a vision for the City of Manteca to pursue in 1998 for downtown and community development over the next 22 years, saw the murals as a way to create a focal point for downtown.

The mural society’s goal is to use the visual arts as a force to build community pride, to revitalize and enhance the Manteca economy, to promote tourism and build a cultural bridge between the past, present and the future.

The society also sees their endeavor as a way to beautify the city.

More information can be found at mantecamurals.org or by contacting Carroll at 209-531-5852.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com