About Creative Crosswalks in Natomas

Funded through a State of California grant allocated to City Council District 3 in combination with Office of Arts and Culture (OAC) city funds, and in partnership with Slow Down Sacramento, the Sacramento Art in Public Places (APP) program has been tasked with designing and installing Creative Crosswalks in City Council District 3. For this project, APP has partnered with two local schools in the Gardenland Northgate Neighborhood of Sacramento, Garden Valley Elementary and Smythe Academy.

The Gardenland-Northgate community is an important and historic area of Council District 3 and South Natomas. Due to increased traffic the thriving business corridor is seeking methods to slow speeds and increase pedestrian safety.

Data shows that these types of creative efforts along with better education on traffic safety can have a significant positive effect on reducing auto fatalities and injuries in neighborhoods. 

APP has contracted with four artists who have done extraordinary work with the students. they have done numerous activities to create artwork around the theme of cultural patterns. The artists developed this theme with the help of participating teachers and students.

Meet the Artists

The Office of Arts and Culture and the D3 Council Member Talamantes Office is proud to announce the Creative Crosswalks Artists:

Team Garden Valley Elementary: Teaching Artist, Christina Stevenson and Design Artist, Jolene Russell

Team Smythe: Teaching Artist, Emma Montalbano and Design Artist,  Uli Smith

Creative Crosswalks Prelinimary Timeline

CREATIVE CORSSWALKS IN NATOMAS REVISED PROJECT TIMELINE

Due to unforseen administrative issues, the project timeline has been revised into 2026. We apologize for the delay and will post updates here.

July 2025                                        Launch RFQ

August 6th , 2025                          Information Session via Zoom (Recorded)

August 18th, 2025                         Deadline for submission to RFQ

January 2026                                  Selection Panel meets to select artists

February 2026                                 Artists notified

TB                                                     Contract and supplier paperwork completed

TBD                                                  Teacher/Artists meetings & design development

TBD                                                   Design Artists present design concepts

TBD                                                  Student Exhibition and Public Design display

TBD                                                  Community Paint Day Event

TBD                                                    Crosswalk Installation