With the artist’s blessing, the Santa Cruz Arts Commission voted at their February 8, 2017 meeting replace the City’s Moonlight Dance mural at Scope Park near the clock tower and commission a new mural with the theme “Inclusivity,” in homage to the original mural by Peter Bartczak--installed in 1993.

Arts Commission members had a warm and humorous dialogue with Mr. Bartzcak regarding how best to honor him and the mural which has served as a poignant symbol of the accepting and diverse culture of Santa Cruz for over 20 years. The Commission will host a celebration sometime this spring to say farewell and welcome the new.

Arts Commissioners spoke of the need to keep the City’s public art collection fresh and offer opportunities to new artists. A local mural artist in attendance noted that he would ‘throw his hat in the ring’ once a call was posted and he thanked Mr. Bartzcak for graciously sanctioning something new.

Mr. Bartczak provided the following statement to the Commission, highlighting the importance of public art and declaring it an appropriate time for something new:

My name is Peter Bartczak and I’m the guy who painted the Scope Park mural – Moonlight Dance. I agree with the decision to replace it. It’s time to give another artist a chance to put their vision on that wall, which, by the way, is one of the best locations in town as far as visibility is concerned.

I want to thank the Arts Commission for awarding me the mural project and the City of Santa Cruz for recognizing the importance of art in our lives. Images area a direct, powerful way to touch people deeply and public art has the ability and the responsibility to inspire the public. A life without images, music, literature, or dance would be a pretty depressing world.

Art has always been an important positive force in my life and each mural I have painted has been an opportunity to use my talents to do the sacred job that artists have done for ages – to help a community define itself to its members, to celebrate its uniqueness, and to renew its sense of wonder and gratitude.

When I first heard of the commission in 1993, I nearly sprained by brain for two weeks trying to come up with a concise image that would define what I loved the most about this town. At first I thought of whales, redwoods, and Victorians—but that was just scratching the surface and getting caught up in details. At the time, my late wife, a few friends, and I would celebrate in a mother goddess/pagan sort of way at the beach – dancing around a bonfire at night, shouting, laughing, and singing – being goofy and grateful that we lived in a great time and great place.

It hit me in a flash that what I loved about Santa Cruz was the environment, the people, and the magic. A beach was a no brainer for the environment. The people part was trickier – they had to be vague, otherwise even if I showed a hundred different people, it would be inevitable that I would leave some group out. Silhouettes served that purpose. And dancing by the moon was magic.

Santa Cruz, this country, and each of us have moved on since the mural was created. We are not what we were back then and we need a new image to help push us forward into the future. I say to that new artist – have at it with passion, beauty, and humor. I look forward to seeing your dream on that wall.

Sincerely, Peter Bartzcak February 8, 2017

If you are interested in applying for the mural commission, make sure you are signed up for the City's"Artist Opportunities" e-news or check back for new calls here: http://www.santacruzcityarts.c...