Paint the Grove Mural Festival

Elk Grove presented its first-ever mural festival, Paint the Grove, from June 1–6, 2026 along Historic Main Street Elk Grove, in partnership with Talking Walls.

This weeklong celebration transformed Elk Grove into an open-air art gallery, where stunning large-scale murals came to life and everyday streets were reimagined through vibrant, interactive art experiences. Visitors explored, took photos, and immersed themselves in creativity while supporting local businesses and discovering Elk Grove’s thriving downtown scene.

Paint the Grove blended art, culture, and community, creating a memorable destination for families, art lovers, and travelers seeking unique experiences in the Sacramento region.

Paint the Grove was brought to life through the expertise of Talking Walls, a nationally recognized mural production and curatorial team known for transforming cities into vibrant, story-driven works of art.

With years of experience producing large-scale mural festivals across the country, Talking Walls led the artistic direction of Paint the Grove by selecting a diverse roster of local, national, and international artists and shaping the themes and visual narratives that defined the event. Their approach went beyond simply placing art on walls–it focused on creating meaningful connections between artists, spaces, and the community.

Rooted in collaboration and community engagement, the curatorial process emphasized storytelling, cultural representation, and artistic authenticity. By prioritizing artist voice while fostering local input, the curators of Paint the Grove not only shaped a visually stunning event, but also helped establish a lasting public art legacy in Elk Grove that will continue to inspire for years to come.

ER

Efren Rebugio Jr. is an Austin-based muralist creating dynamic large-scale works that blend vibrant color, movement, and cultural storytelling. His murals celebrate individuality while reflecting the voice and spirit of communities, spanning brand activations, festivals, and public art nationwide

Naomi Haverland

Naomi Haverland is a mural artist based in Orlando Florida, creating vibrant, whimsical work rooted in realism and illusion. With a background in 3D chalk art and over 20 years of experience, she brings a sense of play, texture, and curiosity to her large-scale paintings.

Bublegum

Bublegum is a multidisciplinary artist based in Galicia, Spain, and the creator of the Ornamental Style. His work merges animals and natural elements with intricate filigree inspired by Baroque architecture, creating a distinctive visual language across murals and studio pieces.

Entirely self-taught, he has developed an international career, painting large-scale works and exhibiting in galleries worldwide. Through his practice, he aims to celebrate nature while creating eye-catching compositions.

Mister Toledo

Daniel Toledo, known as Mister Toledo, is a Los Angeles-based muralist originally from San Diego. Drawing from his Mexican heritage and personal journey, he creates vibrant works that celebrate culture, emotion, and transformation.

Toledo approaches art as a form of storytelling and self-expression, using color and imagery to forge genuine connections with his community. His murals transform public spaces into sites of cultural celebration, while his practice serves as an example for emerging artists navigating their own creative paths.

Franceska Gamez

Franceska Gamez is a visual artist born in Manila and raised in the Bay Area, creating murals, installations, and sculptures that blend abstract and representational forms to tell powerful stories. Her multidisciplinary practice spans a range of mediums, while also encompassing her work as a curator, organizer, and creative producer, with projects presented across the U.S., Europe, and Southeast Asia.

As co-owner of 1810 Gallery, a member of the Trust Your Struggle Collective, she merges art, culture, and social impact while centering belonging and collective care. She has been recognized as a Sacramento Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree and Emerging Leader of the Year by the Sacramento Asian Chamber of Commerce.

Bacon

Alex Bacon is a Toronto-based Canadian painter and muralist recognized for his large-scale works and distinctive visual language. Moving between studio and public space, his practice explores light, form, and material through a refined and evolving approach to contemporary painting.

Ricky Watts

Richard “Ricky” Watts (b. 1980, San Francisco) is a visual artist recognized for his colorful “hard-edge gradient” style. Rooted in aerosol art and skate graphics, his work blends abstract forms with luminous color transitions.

Watts’ clients include Google, Louis Vuitton, LinkedIn and Skechers. He continues to produce public and studio works across the United States while raising seven-year-old twins in Sebastopol, California.

Camer1

Cameron “Camer1” Moberg is a San Francisco based muralist with 25+ years of experience, known for creating vibrant, nature-infused works that bring a sense of calm, curiosity, and connection to public spaces. He also curates mural festivals, including Paint the Grove, and other public art events that bring artists and communities together.

These locations made history as the very first walls to participate in Elk Grove’s inaugural mural festival:

• School of Rock
• Prost Beer Hall
• Happy Garden
• Custom Fireside
• Ocean Fish & Chips
• Elk Grove Library