The concept of painting a giant mural in one day is thought to have been originated by the Mural Society of Toppenish, Washington. Gene and Judy Stevens visited Toppenish in 1990 and watched as the artists created a huge, beautiful mural in one day. The outcome was so impressive that they brought the idea back home and presented the concept to the Lompoc Mural Society, which launched its first MID project in 1991. It was a 12×48-foot depiction of the history of the Chumash Indians in the Lompoc Valley.

The mural was a great success, and remains one of the favorite murals in the Lompoc Inventory. Painting a giant mural in one day is no simple undertaking. A “Master Artist” is chosen from submitted concept sketches, then a full color to scale “marquette” is completed. The day of the event it is duplicated full scale by 12-20 community artists under the direction of the master artist. This is truly an amazing sight to see!!!

 These murals were damaged by the elements and are beyond repair and have been retired.

There are many murals in the public space that have been privately commissioned in the City of Lompoc. Although these pieces have not been commissioned by the Lompoc Mural Society, they’re still part of the whole and promote art and culture in our city.