Editor’s Note: This is part of a monthly feature on arts and culture offerings in Orange County, which is rich with indoor and outdoor, often inexpensive or even free, options that you might not know about.
Read more Ex-national security adviser John Bolton pleads guilty to illegally retaining classified information
Motorists traveling north on the 55 Freeway with any regularity have probably noticed the 136-foot-long mural rising almost 60 feet above traffic, depicting a woman with a lotus flower in her hair, the word “Welcome” scrolled in cursive directly above her head.
Painted on the freeway-facing side of the Baker Block apartments in Costa Mesa, another section of the mural shows a dove and surfers riding waves.
Some may have wondered about the story and artist behind the murals, which took 136 cans of spray paint to finish.
Arts Orange County, the officially designated arts council for the county, has the answer: “Welcome Home” is by famed muralist Shepard Fairey.
The massive mural is among the nearly1,400 pieces of public art the organization has catalogued in Orange County — pieces that make the county a 791-square-mile open-air museum that never charges admission and never closes.
It is a colossal task Arts Orange County has taken on, cataloging virtually every public mural, sculpture, painting and installation in a database that can be searched online.
Ever wondered about the meaning behind that sculpture you pass on your way to work, or the artist of the mural on your evening walk, or the title of the painted electrical box out from the local elementary school? The catalogue can be searched by city, artist and other factors.
A life-sized bronze statue of famous surfer Joyce Hoffman, who was also the first female ocean lifeguard in California, by artist Bill Limebrook, at Watermen’s Plaza in Dana Point on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The “Juaneño Mural,” created by several artists and curated by Jennifer Koons during an Earth Day Expo in 2009, is a tile mosaic depicting the region’s rich Indigenous history, on display at the Village Green in Oso Viejo Park in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The “Migration is Beautiful/ Madres Emigrantes” is a colorful mural created by artist Alicia Rojas, located on a wall in the basement of the Grand Central Art Center in Santa Ana, on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A mosaic “Hope Bear,” created by members of the community and lead by artists Aileen May and Joy Aldrichin, sits on a pedestal at Oso Viejo Park in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The “Arts Alive Mural,” created by several artists and curated by Jennifer Koons during an Earth Day Expo in 2009, is a tile mosaic depicting the region’s rich Indigenous history, on display at the Village Green in Oso Viejo Park in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The “La Virgencita Community Mural” is a colorful mural created by artist Alicia Rojas, located at Friendship Park in Santa Ana, on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Matthew Lerstad, 4, of Mission Viejo, checks out the mosaic “Hope Bear,” created by members of the community and lead by artists Aileen May and Joy Aldrichin, at Oso Viejo Park in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The “Pacific Symphony Mural,” created by several artists, is a tile mosaic depicting and commemorating a Pacific Symphony concert at Oso Viejo Park in Mission Viejo, on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
An acrylic painting by artist Laura Green decorates a sitting area outside the Norman P. Murray Community Center in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Life-sized copper sculptures depicting a bear mother and cub sit outside the Norman P. Murray Community Center in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
An acrylic painting by artist Laura Green decorates a sitting area outside the Norman P. Murray Community Center in Mission Viejo on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“Friends of Brentwood Park,” by artist Becky Feltman, is a mural depicting hundreds of pets that frequent Brentwood Park, lining a wall on the artist’s property next to the park, in Costa Mesa on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“Friends of Brentwood Park,” by artist Becky Feltman, is a mural depicting hundreds of pets that frequent Brentwood Park, lining a wall on the artist’s property next to the park, in Costa Mesa on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The “La Virgencita Community Mural” is a colorful mural created by artist Alicia Rojas, located at Friendship Park in Santa Ana, on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“Friends of Brentwood Park,” by artist Becky Feltman, is a mural depicting hundreds of pets that frequent Brentwood Park, lining a wall on the artist’s property next to the park, in Costa Mesa on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A colorful mosaic bench at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The “Poderosas Fitness Court Mural” is an active-lifestyle art piece, partly pealing off the wall, created by artist Alicia Rojas and located at Heritage Park in Santa Ana on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“Reading Rainbows” is a latex mural by artist Jane Kim that wraps around a building at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A metal sculpture at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“Surfers at Sunset,” by artist Lance Jost, is a mosaic scene that greets visitors as they pass under pedestrian stairs over Pacific Coast Highway as they arrive at Dana Point Harbor in Dana Point on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A painted utility box entitled “Sunset Mermaid,” by artist Shayna Sharke, at Watermen’s Plaza in Dana Point on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“The Endless Summer Mosaic,” by artist Mia Tavonatti, is a copy of the original and iconic poster of the 1966 surf documentary in Dana Point on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A colorful mosaic bench at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A life-sized bronze statue, by artist Bill Limebrook, depicts longtime Capistrano Beach resident and famous surfer Mickey Muñoz in his iconic “Quasimodo” surfing stance at Watermen’s Plaza in Dana Point on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A John Severson Statue by artist Bill Limebrook is a life-sized bronze statue depicting the surf artist and creator of Surfer Magazine at Watermen’s Plaza in Dana Point on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A life-sized bronze sculpture depicting Steve and Barrie Boehne, who founded Infinity Surfboard Company in 1971, by local Dana Point artist and sculptor Bill Limebrook, at Watermen’s Plaza in Dana Point on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A mosaic by artist Lance Jost depicting a breaching humpback whale is one of several mosaics that greet visitors as they pass under pedestrian stairs over Pacific Coast Highway as they arrive at Dana Point Harbor in Dana Point on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A John Severson Statue by artist Bill Limebrook is a life-sized bronze statue depicting the surf artist and creator of Surfer Magazine at Watermen’s Plaza in Dana Point on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Bronze sculpture of filmmaker Bruce Brown, who created “The Endless Summer,” by artists Morgan Finelt and Kent Baker, at Watermen’s Plaza in Dana Point on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A life-size bronze statue of Walter and Philip “Flippy” Hoffman, Created by artist Bill Limebrook, depicts the brothers and surf industry icons at Watermen’s Plaza in Dana Point on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Hobie Riding the Wave of Success sculpture by artists Lance Jost and Bill Limebrook is a life-sized bronze and fiberglass sculpture honoring surf and sailing entrepreneur and pioneer Hobie Alter at Watermen’s Plaza in Dana Point on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“Phil Edwards ‘Surfing Great’” is a life-sized bronze sculpture by artist Bill Limebrook depicting the famous surfer who was the first to surf Pipeline in Hawaii at Watermen’s Plaza in Dana Point on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A surfer walks past a painted utility box, entitled “Beach Party,” by local artist Doug Smith, in Dana Point Harbor on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“Tall Ship – Spirit of Dana Point,” by artist Lubica Selecka, is a mosaic scene that greets visitors as they pass under pedestrian stairs over Pacific Coast Highway as they arrive at Dana Point Harbor in Dana Point on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A painted utility box, entitled “Beach Party,” by local artist Doug Smith, in Dana Point Harbor on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A mosaic by artist Lance Jost depicting a breaching humpback whale is one of several mosaics that greet visitors as they pass under pedestrian stairs over Pacific Coast Highway as they arrive at Dana Point Harbor in Dana Point on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The “15 Stations of the Cross” by artist Lance Jost are a collection of mosaic tiles and carved images that tell the story of the last journey of Jesus, placed along a winding dirt path at Saddleback Rancho Capistrano Church, in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The “15 Stations of the Cross” by artist Lance Jost are a collection of mosaic tiles and carved images that tell the story of the last journey of Jesus, placed along a winding dirt path at Saddleback Rancho Capistrano Church, in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The “15 Stations of the Cross” by artist Lance Jost are a collection of mosaic tiles and carved images that tell the story of the last journey of Jesus, placed along a winding dirt path at Saddleback Rancho Capistrano Church, in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The “15 Stations of the Cross” by artist Lance Jost are a collection of mosaic tiles and carved images that tell the story of the last journey of Jesus, placed along a winding dirt path at Saddleback Rancho Capistrano Church, in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Brandon Kelchner of Monrovia checks out the “15 Stations of the Cross” by artist Lance Jost at Saddleback Rancho Capistrano Church in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The “15 Stations of the Cross” by artist Lance Jost are a collection of mosaic tiles and carved images that tell the story of the last journey of Jesus, placed along a winding dirt path at Saddleback Rancho Capistrano Church, in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A section of the 260-foot-long mural painted by Manuel Hernandez-Trujillo during the late 1970’s at the Atwood community park, Parque de Los Ninos, in Placentia, while it was under restoration in 2019. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)
“La Mecedora” (The Rocking Chair) was created by Carlos Terres in 1992 is part of Brea’s Art in Public Places on is located on Berry Street between Imperial Highway and Lambert Road in Brea on Friday, July 18, 2025. Art in Public Places will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“The Birds” was created by King Zimmerman in 1975 is part of Brea’s Art in Public Places and located on Apollo Street and Tamarack Avenue in Brea on Friday, July 18, 2025. Art in Public Places will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“Elements & Essentials” of Industry II was created by Robert Cunningham in 1989 and is part of Brea’s Art in Public Places and is located on Berry Street and Columbia Street in Brea on Friday, July 18, 2025. Art in Public Places will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“Home Run Kings” was created by Robert Steinkamp in 1999 and is part of Brea’s Art in Public Places located is located on Orange Avenue near Birch Street in Brea on Friday, July 18, 2025. Art in Public Places will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The nonprofit manages and maintains the website SparkOC, which is home to the extensive database of not just public art, but also arts and cultural events, jobs, workshops, venues, calls for individual artists and organizations.
In the public art database, the community can find photos, location, medium, artist’s name and backstory for nearly every public art piece in the county.
“Public art can help to provide a community with an identity,” said Patrick Brien, president and CEO of Arts Orange County. “It can create a sense of civic pride … so, people can point to things not only for beautification but for cultural representation.”
Read more Judge blocks Trump plan that would limit graduate student loans in nursing and other fields
And anything can serve as a canvas for public art.
In Orange County, buildings, benches, bike racks, utility boxes, stairs, sidewalks and even dumpsters are beautified into art.
Dedicated in 2023, Mia Tavonatti’s “Stairwave” is a mosaic tile mural installed on the 118-step staircase at Lantern Bay Park in Dana Point.
“It has this motion where I wanted to play with the steps,” Tavonatti said when ‘Stairwave’ was dedicated. “I wanted to appeal to artisans, so when you look at the steps, there are all these individual pieces.”
“Stairwave,” created by artist Mia Tavonatti, is a 364-square-foot mosaic tile installation mural depicting a crashing wave that was installed on the 118-step staircase that leads from Dana Point Harbor to Lantern Bay Park in Dana Point on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“Stairwave,” created by artist Mia Tavonatti, is a 364-square-foot mosaic tile installation mural depicting a crashing wave that was installed on the 118-step staircase that leads from Dana Point Harbor to Lantern Bay Park in Dana Point on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“Stairwave,” created by artist Mia Tavonatti, is a 364-square-foot mosaic tile installation mural depicting a crashing wave that was installed on the 118-step staircase that leads from Dana Point Harbor to Lantern Bay Park in Dana Point on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“Stairwave,” created by artist Mia Tavonatti, is a 364-square-foot mosaic tile installation mural depicting a crashing wave that was installed on the 118-step staircase that leads from Dana Point Harbor to Lantern Bay Park in Dana Point on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“Stairwave,” created by artist Mia Tavonatti, is a 364-square-foot mosaic tile installation mural depicting a crashing wave that was installed on the 118-step staircase that leads from Dana Point Harbor to Lantern Bay Park in Dana Point on Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Memorials honoring military personnel and historic events also dot the county.
The Mendez Tribute Monument Park in Westminster features three distinct sculptures collectively memorializing the 1947 landmark Mendez et al. v. Westminster court ruling, which led to the desegregation of schools in California.
Aside from celebrating all things art, a major part of Arts Orange County’s work involves consulting for cities and counties, not only in Orange County but statewide, Brien said.
The organization works with public agencies to develop strategic arts plans and public art policies tailored to each community’s needs, he added, stressing that these plans are built through interactions with stakeholders and the community, not through imposed templates.
“What we do is rather than offering a bunch of programs that would be duplicative of what other people are doing, we tend to be more service oriented,” Brien said. “Some people call us the glue that holds the art community together.”
Check it out
What: SparkOC is a program of Arts Orange County offering a database of public art, as well as a calendar of arts-related performances, events, classes and more.
Where: Find the searchable database under the Public Art tab on the right side of the webpage.
Details: You can search by type of art, the medium used, the city located and more.
Read more HOA Homefront: Tips toward reasonable rules
Find it: sparkoc.com/public-art