The COBA (Chico Outdoor Board Project) was started five years ago by the City Of Chico's Development Board in conjunction with the Chico Art Center as a public project to brighten the City's downtown area with fine art that is permanently displayed in glass cases on the down town streets of Chico. Already known for its many outstanding public murals, the COBA has been a favorite event with the residents of Chico.

Every year, artists from Northern California are invited to submit proposals for public artwork to a juried panel that selects twenty finalists. The twenty artists whose proposals are chosen were given a 4 x 4 foot panel and a materials allowance to create a finished painting that will be put on public display in the downtown area throughout the summer months. The public is invited to cast their vote as to which of the twenty paintings will be put on permanent display in the downtown area. All the other 19 works are offered to the public at an auction held at the Chico Art Center. Half of the auction price goes to the artist with half going to fund next years COBA.

This year's COBA had a twist from previous years. The twenty finalists were given, not a 4 x 4 foot panel, but a 28" x 36" canvas on which to execute their proposal. The finished paintings were hung on the downtown walls of Zucchini & Vine throughout the summer. The citizens of Chico were invited to cast their vote for their favorite painting.  This year over 8000 votes were cast by the public for their favorite choice of one of the twenty paintings. The artist whose painting receives the most votes will be commissioned by the City Of Chico to create a permanent outdoor mural in this college town of 100,000 people.

 

The summer long voting is over and all twenty paintings were offered at auction last night at the Chico Art Center with the People's Choice Award going to artist Frank S. Wilson of Paradise. Frank was also a finalist in last year’s event. The public chose his painting "Mountain Moonglow", over the other 19 paintings by a wide margin of over 600 votes. The exact location of the outdoor mural that Wilson will create from his painting is currently being determined by a panel. Wilson has been a professional artist for thirty years and is represented by fine art galleries on both the east and west coasts.

The Northwoods Art Gallery is Pleased to feature the work of Frank Wilson and is hosting a special "Meet the Artist" Event

Saturday November 26, 2005 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Refreshments will be served

Please come meet this talented and popular artists from our area and see his newest works.

More of Frank's work....