A new public art mural honoring local history is currently being painted at the intersection of Hollister and Kellogg avenues in Old Town Goleta, Hoodline reported. Local artist Curtis Crawshaw, owner of Foundation Press Design and Print Studio, is executing the piece as a gift to the city and a vibrant addition to a commercial strip historically defined by local businesses and community ties.
The artwork was created through a collaboration involving the City of Goleta, Crawshaw, and the family-owned Carpeteria retail business. Designed specifically for its location on the corner, the mural incorporates imagery that reflects the region's deep historical roots, featuring references to the indigenous Chumash people who first inhabited the area alongside tributes to Goleta's rich agricultural tradition.
Funding for the public art project was provided through Goleta's Old Town Pride of Place grant program. The initiative awarded $15,000 to Carpeteria to support the mural installation. In total, the City of Goleta announced 22 grants amounting to $120,000 under the Pride of Place program. These funds were designated for projects intended to improve the overall appearance of Old Town, attract shoppers and visitors, and fund vibrant public art installations.
The municipal push for storefront enhancements and public art emerged in response to challenges caused by infrastructure work along the Hollister Avenue corridor. A 2025 report by the Santa Barbara Independent noted that the Pride of Place program was established to revitalize blocks impacted by nearby construction near Kellogg Avenue and the traffic reduction of Hollister Avenue to a single lane.
Early concepts for the project outlined a mural spanning three large panels at Carpeteria. That initial design incorporated distinct Goleta themes, including monarch butterflies, local ocean wildlife, lemons, and avocados. During the planning stages, the Goleta Design Review Board evaluated the conceptual design and offered supportive feedback. Discussions surrounding the project also addressed physical protection for the artwork, including the application of anti-graffiti coatings and elevating the base of the design approximately six feet above the sidewalk to deter potential vandalism. Reports from the Santa Barbara Independent also noted plans for an additional mural at S.B. Aquatics in Old Town.
Local leadership has highlighted the initiative as an important step toward revitalizing the neighborhood's commercial atmosphere. Goleta Councilmember James Kyriaco framed the artwork as part of a broader push to change the area's energy, telling KEYT that the city sees value in both aspirational programs like public murals and tangible upgrades like improved business signage and frontage.
Work on the Hollister and Kellogg corner remains ongoing, with Crawshaw actively adding details to the panels. Local residents and community supporters have gathered around the site as painting has progressed over recent weeks. According to reporting by KEYT, the project is scheduled for completion within the next month, providing visitors and residents with a permanent public display celebrating Goleta's local identity.
