"I Wanted to Have a Beautiful Mural for Historic Downtown"

DIXON, CA (MPG) - Realtor Angela Meisenheimer's pleasure of seeing large murals started from her frequent visits to other small communities that have them--like downtown Davis, Solvang, or Chico--and now has brought several murals to Dixon. The newest one was just added on the wall of Century 21 M & M Realty directly across from the Pardi Market site.

"I wanted something for historical Dixon to inspire caring and love of our heart and soul in our town during these difficult times," she said. "I'm hoping to inspire others to think about doing more murals around downtown."

Meisenheimer has always had a heart for downtown Dixon, serving several years as the Director of the Downtown Dixon Business Association back in the days that there was an actual budget with financial help from the City of Dixon. Although the organization has turned more grassroots since, Meisenheimer served as Co-Chair of the Christmas Tree Lighting--handling all things Santa--for many years.

When you get off the A Street exit at I-80, you will see the first of several colorful 'Wayfarers' signs directing you toward downtown, the Chamber of Commerce, and to the library. Meisenheimer was instrumental in getting those purchased and placed.

But, downtown isn't the only place she's added her efforts to brighten Dixon. She also commissioned local artist Linda Galusha to paint a mural at Tremont Elementary School and another in the courtyard of the Dixon Montessori School. Galusha's skills first impressed Meisenheimer when Galusha painted the east side of the Dixon Florist.

"They are all amazing," Meisenheimer said. "There is an entire wall of [art that shows] what students learn in each grade at Tremont and the one at Dixon Montessori tells of the Native Americans and the first settlers of Dixon. Meisenheimer believes murals brighten up a tired town and gives them a fresh look. This one is loaded with sunshine and sunflowers.

"We have a lot of buildings with nothing on them," she said. "I wanted to inspire others to put murals on their buildings. All the towns I've lived in--and travel to--make walking around interesting. Murals give something to look at and beautify the town."

The mural went through a city permit process and Meisenheimer got permission from the building owner, Rebecca Robinson, and the mural was installed this past week by Adam Ascher.

"When I saw it, I felt like Dana was coming home," said Rebecca Robinson who owns the historic building with her husband Ron. "Dana was our agent and sold us the building through the courts. She owned Ace Real Estate right there."

Dixonites Dana and Ed Foss are memorialized on it. Dana was a realtor, past President of the Downtown Dixon Business Association, and President of Lambtown for several years.

"Dana used to have her office downtown and she put her heart and soul into Dixon," Meisenheimer said. Ed had a gun shop and taught gun safety and also taught a lot about outdoors and hunting, she said. He owned a bait and tackle business for many years, too, and was a fishing columnist for this newspaper for the first couple years of operation.

"I wanted to have a beautiful mural for historic downtown," she said. "With the Pardi site open, it welcomes people to our downtown. Dixon is very historic and that gets overlooked a lot. There are a lot of interesting facts about our town."

There are two other downtown murals: One is of horses racing on the side of Bud's Pub & Grill, 100 South First Street and there are large angel wings in the back of Dawson's at Ferguson Alley.