Davis Transmedia Art Walk is a free, self guided, public art wonder that combines the latest technology with art from the top painters and sculptures in the country.
The Davis Transmedia Art Walk is a free, self-guided, public art wonder that combines the latest technology with art from the top painters and sculptors in the country. It is the first and only walk of its kind in the country.
The Transmedia Art Walk started with 10 sculptures in January 2012 and now has expanded to include 23 public murals, 16 sculptures, and 15 galleries and museums all in downtown Davis and the University of Davis campus. A free Davis Art Walk map serves as a detailed guide to the entire collection.
Since the 1950s, Davis has been the center of the California Art scene. Art pioneers such as Manuel Neri, Roy DeForest, Wayne Thiebuad, and Robert Arneson have called Davis home. Continuing this legacy is the world-class Mondavi Performing Arts Center, the Davis Mural team, and top-notch art venues such as the Richard Nelson Gallery, the Pence Gallery, and John Natsoulas Center for the Arts, along with the Artery, one of the most enduring of artist cooperatives. Neighboring UC Davis is home to one of the best art programs in the country, further contributing to Davis’ unique art legacy.
The art pieces are all within walking distance of each other. The walk is a roughly circuitous path that can be completed within an hour or two. Every piece of art on the Art Walk has been embedded with an RFID chip. Using a cellphone that supports this technology, you access multimedia files that relate to each work. You can even leave a comment or “burn your own message” for other visitors to see.
The Davis Transmedia Art tour was the result of several contributors coming together to create one of the largest public art collections per square mile of any city in the nation. The leading partners in the effort include Davis civic and community leaders, the Davis Cultural Action Committee, Monto Kumagai and the Bulatag Project, the Davis Mural Team, the John Natsoulas Center for the Arts, and U. C. Davis. Although other cities around the globe have attempted to replicate the idea of art walk, none can compete with the unique experience that the Davis Art Walk provides.
The self-guided tour is available at any time—many of the murals and sculptures are lit up for evening viewing.
To pick up a copy of the Davis Art Walk map, visit the Yolo County Visitors Bureau (132 E St., Suite 200; (530) 2978-1900) or the John Natsoulas Center for the Arts (521 1st St.; (530) 756-3938).
Artist- and curator-lead group and family tours are held by appointment only on weekends. The guided tour ends with a private luncheon and tour of the John Natsoulas Center of the Arts with the curator and several of the artists. The guided tour is available for a minimal fee and lasts 2 to 3 hours.
For more information about the Davis Art Walk map, tours, and upcoming conference, call the Natsoulas Center at (530) 756-3938, email [email protected], or visit www.natsoulas.com.
