We the People: Summer Festivals in Orange County

John Valadez painted this mural for the building's pavilion as a portrait of Orange County that spans a century. Sweeping from the seacoast through orange groves and cities to the distant canyons and hills, the painting incorporates physical landmarks from past and present. The mural focuses on people and their creation of community. The original county courthouse is shown, representing the court's important role in this civic process.

For the mural's central metaphor, Valadez chose summer festivals: the community celebrations of history, traditions, and a rich mix of cultures. The artist spent a year attending festivals throughout the county and researching its history, economy, and social development. Historical photographs inspired elements of the painting, including a number of portraits. For example, one seated group depicts the founders of the local historical society. Other individuals shown are present-day residents.

Valadez spent two additional years developing his sketches and painting the mural. He was assisted by contributing artists Genaro "Jerry" Lopez, Francisco Siquerors, Howard Spezia, Sadie Valadez and Carlo Valadez, and installer Giles Guggemons, Inc. of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Valadez said that he hopes viewers will see themselves in the mural and recognize how we are all linked together through the continuing and constant change of events to form a community.