Children at Play

Pleasanton’s utility box artwork, “Project Paint Box” is a citywide attempt to deter utility box graffiti and encourage local artists to beautify the city. “Children at Play” by Irma Grant occupies the corner of First Street and Neal with four scenes of children in playful interaction. Positioned in the area of the Meadowlark Dairy and Lions Wayside Park, the painted utility box exemplifies the spirit of the area. Grant’s daughter inspired the design, which reflects the diversity of children in the city.  A swooshing skateboarder with knee pads, a girl on her bike leading her companion dog, friends playfully tossing fallen leaves and two children enjoying ice-cream cones brings the painted utility box to life in storybook fashion. Grant received a $500 stipend from Pleasanton’s Public Art Acquisition Fund in 2015 and additional sponsorship from JoAnne Rossi Becker made this artwork possible.  It took four weeks to complete.

Jan Coleman-Knight