Contributing Institution: Sacramento Public Library

Title: Guide to the Kathy Francies "Wide Open Walls" Photography Collection

Identifier/Call Number: MC 81

Physical Description: 1.0 Linear Feet 1 archival box

Date (inclusive): 2016 to 2021

Abstract: This collection consists of 148 photographs taken in 2018, 2019, 2021 and compiled by Kathy Francies, retired librarian for the Sacramento Public Library (SPL). Photographs capture murals from across Sacramento, painted on walls and in alleys as part of the "Wide Open Walls" annual artists' festival.

Language of Material: English .

Kathy Francies was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on September 15, 1940. She attended public schools in Baldwin Park, California, through high school and graduated from Azusa College in 1962 with a Bachelor's degree in Education and Psychology. Francies then went on to earn a Master's degree at Arizona State University in Education and Library Science. She started her career in librarianship at Brown Military Academy in Glendora, California, then worked as a librarian at Phoenix Christian High School in Arizona. Her career at SPL spanned 31 years, starting as a library assistant and ending as a reference librarian, working much of that time the Sacramento Room. In her retirement, she has continued to contribute SPL and the Sacramento Room Collection.

Wide Open Walls, formally the Sacramento Mural Festival, is a public art festival, taking place annually in mid to late August in the Sacramento region since 2016, in areas such as Downtown, Oak Park and North Sacramento on Del Paso Boulevard. The 10-day festival gives the public a chance to see artists create murals in real time and to interact with community members, visitors and artists in the context of promoting public art. It is also an opportunity for local and visiting artists to demonstrate, refine, and improve their skills, while engaging in artistic expression in a public venue. David Sobon, local art collector and auctioneer, is the founder, producer, and board chairman of "Wide Open Walls." In concert with "Wide Open Wall's" Board of Directors, Sobon has worked to bring local, national and international artists together to transform the Sacramento region with street art. The festival also includes block parties, meet and greets, and other related activities facilitated by their Board. The aim of the Wide Open Walls is to generate economic growth for the region and to promote greater cultural understanding and appreciation amongst diverse groups. There have been at least 80 permanent works created through the project and at least 250 temporary works presented at various events around Sacramento.

[Identification of item], Kathy Francies-Wide Open Walls Photography Collection, MC 81, Sacramento Room, Sacramento Public Library, Sacramento, California.

The collection is broken into three albums: 2018, 2019, and 2021. The 2018 album includes 47 color photographs of murals from around Sacramento that were painted as part of the "Wide Open Walls" festival; the 2019 album includes 51 color photographs; the 2021 album consists of 50 color photographs. The 2018 album also includes a title page, a short announcement for the 2018 Wide Open Walls festival, a map from wideopenwalls.com of various mural locations across Sacramento, a list of numerous artists that contributed to the festival and a list of locations that were considered points of interest in 2017. All contents are in original order and are housed in 3 albums.

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