South Lake Tahoe mural release party celebrates art in the community

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The first art project approved and partially funded by the new South Lake Tahoe Arts, Culture, and Tourism Commission was celebrated on Halloween with the artists, commissioners, members from the Tahoe Art League, and the community.

On the back of the Blue Dog Pizza building at the corner of Lake Tahoe Blvd., and Sierra Blvd., the mural was painted by local artist Annie Walker and is titled 'Sierra Juniper.'

Walker has been a working artist for 13 years, coming from New Orleans via San Francisco.

The tree symbolizes resilience and surviving tough times, and Blue Dog was the perfect location for it. Paul and Mercedes Beran owned the popular pizza and beer spot when Paul passed away suddenly this summer. He not only owned Blue Dog with his wife, but he also worked at Sierra-at-Tahoe for 25 years. He had strong roots and reached out to others - both depicted in the Sierra Juniper.

John Rice, general manager of Sierra-at-Tahoe, was on hand to celebrate the mural, something he says he drives out of his way to view often to remember his friend.

Mercedes started a fundraiser for future murals and will match all donations up to $4,000 (donation box at Blue Dog Gourmet Pizza as well as the Art League).

"This is a thrill to see this come together," said Scott Forrest, artist, gallery owner, and past president of the Tahoe Art League.

Art League President Rebecca Bryson has been focusing on mural projects across the community for quite a while, working hard to get the right wall, the right funding and the right artist, and this was the first step in what she hopes will be a series.

The City's Arts, Culture, and Tourism (ACT) Commission was formed to help steer projects in those three areas, and to help fund some of them. They have streamlined the process and cut fees formerly associated with outside art installations.

Those who want to see more murals can donate at the tab on top of the page here: https://www.talart.org.