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On a sunny June afternoon, Richmond's very own John Wehrle was hard at work meticulously tending to his mural, which adorns the tunnel at Point Richmond's Ferry Point – a work originally commissioned by the Point Richmond Neighborhood Council in 1996.
Wehrle, who resides in Richmond, has been creating art for public spaces throughout California for more than 30 years, many of which have become
valued landmarks.
Wehrle's work graces several places in Richmond, including the interior of the Richmond Plunge and several street murals: "Past Perfect on MacDonald Avenue" and "Revisionist History of San Pablo Avenue."
"Past Perfect on MacDonald Avenue" was commissioned by the City of Richmond Arts & Culture Commission and reflects the view of the street, an illusory trolley and passengers from 1908, and portraits of Richmond residents.
"Revisionist History of San Pablo Avenue," commissioned by the City of Richmond Arts & Culture Commission in 1996, depicts early Californianos and Ohlones interacting with current inhabitants situated among modern-day storefronts. Embedded references in the mural, such as "Ohlone Bait and Tackle Shop" and "Castro Land Grant Co.," provide a substantial nod to Richmond's historic past.
A short distance away in Pinole, "Pinole Valley Gateway" is also one of Wehrle's works. Completed in 2002, the mural juxtaposes historic figures, autos, cows, and people with the daily flow of traffic. The work required over 1,300 gallons of paint and 20 days of lane closures to complete.
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