More murals are underway in Sand City for annual festival.

The we.Mural Festival in Sand City has been taking place since Sunday, Sept. 29; it will last until Friday, Oct. 4. Just like in 2023, it is curated by the husband and wife muralist duo, Cameron and Crystal Moberg.

It is a Tuesday afternoon. Sand City is oscillating between an atmosphere of business as usual and siesta. Older murals welcome me with their already recognizable faces, but at first I can’t find a mural stand—there are no plastic buckets in weird colors, nor cans of spray paint, no ladders. It’s hot; this is perhaps the hottest week of this year in Monterey County.

Finally, I find a mural station and then the artists too, not far from the Art Park all together behind a family table, eating sandwiches. It’s lunch time. They left their hidden mural station all over town and gathered to rest.

I speak with Crystal Moberg; everybody else is busy painting. “No, no changes from last year’s format,” she says. “We hired six artists who work individually. Only two share one wall.”

Since murals will be painted throughout the week, readers can stop by the area of the city known as the West End and wander the streets during the weeklong festival to see the artists in action. 

Murals are expected on Shasta and Orange avenues as well as on Contra Costa Avenue near the City’s Art Park. The event will culminate with a local artists’ battle on Oct. 4 from 3-6:30pm, announcing the battle's winners at 6:45pm on the town square in front of Post No Bills. Come enjoy some beer and watch the artists paint for cash prizes.

“They are all my favorites,” Moberg says about mural projects. “They come from some of our favorite artists.”

We.Mural Festival is an intentional mix of national and international artists who have a solid following and something to say. This festival has built the foundation for the most accessible public art gallery on the peninsula and has produced quality art that creates conversation and allows artists to express themselves. The curation of each artist and artist pairing have been designed to put artists together who may not have had or will have the chance to work together. 

Sand City’s we.Mural Festival 2024 takes place through Oct. 4 on the streets of Sand City. From about 9am to 5pm. Free.