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With trains gliding by and bells clanging in the background, a group of local dignitaries and community members gathered at Mountain View’s train depot last week to celebrate the unveiling of a new public art display.
“It took two years but we’re finally here,” said Anita Rosen, founder of Arts Mountain View, a local nonprofit that aims to brighten up the city with outdoor murals.
Eight painted panels now adorn the exterior of the depot building, functioning as an outdoor gallery that is accessible to downtown visitors and public transit users.
Titled “Mountain View through Time: Eight Windows into our History,” the art depicts different representations of peoples and cultures as well as native flora and fauna. The last panel culminates with images of present-day activities in the city.
Commissioned by Arts Mountain View, the project was a collaborative endeavor that involved multiple agencies, including Caltrain and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Agency.
“Caltrain owns the land, Mountain View owns the building and VTA is the tenant,” Rosen said at the June 11 ribbon-cutting event.
The total cost of the art installation was roughly $23,500, according to Rosen. The majority of the project funding came from a $15,000 VTA grant. The city contributed approximately $7,000 and Arts Mountain View pitched in about $1,500, she said.
John Patrick Thomas, the artist, also noted that the project was a collaborative process, involving the Mountain View Visual Arts Committee, a city advisory body that vets publicly funded art projects, and the Mountain View Historical Association.
“There was a lot of energy put into it,” Thomas said, adding that he hoped the outdoor gallery would draw more people to the train station.
Cliff Bryant, a Visual Arts Committee member, described the project as an anchor to the “pedestrianization” of Castro Street.
During the pandemic, the city blocked off the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Castro Street to vehicle traffic, turning the area into a permanent pedestrian mall. Since then, Mountain View has invested in decorative improvements on Castro Street, like putting in colorful street striping and commissioning artists, including Thomas, to paint street bollards.
For Mountain View officials, the new outdoor gallery signals the city’s commitment to elevating public art while drawing on a rich tapestry of local histories and cultures.
“This installation reflects the City Council’s ongoing commitment to investing in the cultural fabric of Mountain View,” Mayor Emily Ann Ramos said. “The council continues to ensure that creativity is woven directly into our civic spaces.”
More information about the artistic vision and design of “Mountain View through Time: Eight Windows into our History” is available online. QR codes also are posted next to each panel at the train depot at 650 W. Evelyn Ave.
