Local Artwork Creates Fun Experience at Hawthorne Park

Published on December 06, 2022

Dogs dressed in cute outfits and an astronaut riding a skateboard are just some of things that will catch your eye during your next visit to Hawthorne Park. Local artist Melissa Ghiglieri brought those ideas, among others, to life when she took part in the pillar art project at the park.

The first pillar facing the street has a bright blue background and is painted with fruits, forest animals and nature. Ghiglieri says she wanted that pillar to welcome people into the park.

"I just wanted to brighten up the space and make it colorful," said Ghiglieri. 

Ghiglieri says it was an honor to provide the murals to the park. 

"To finally be able to do something in my hometown and something so big that people are going to see is really cool," said Ghiglieri. 

She says she hopes the art will bring people down to the park and enjoy the area more often. 

"This is just a stepping stone to make the whole area a nice place for people and their families to be," said Ghiglieri. 

Ghiglieri painted a total of six pillars and three cross beams. She started the project in early October and finished around mid-November. 

City Council approved $60,000 for this project through the Council Community Initiative Fund. The fund is comprised of marijuana tax revenue the City receives for local and state marijuana taxes. The City Council allocates the monies for projects and programs that meet Council Biennial Goals.

The City's Arts Commission led the artist selection process for this project. The commission evaluated a number of proposals and ultimately selected Ghiglieri as the sole artist.

The original pillar art was completed in 2015 by Jessilyn Brinkerhoff and Esteban Camacho Steffensen.