Central Farmers Market Shoppers Soon to Find Bright Underbelly

By Tre Borden

We are excited to share with you an exciting new art project that seeks to highlight our state’s largest farmers market, right here in Sacramento, and promote our region’s identity as the Farm-to-Fork Capital.  The project is called Bright Underbelly and is being spearheaded by me, artist team Sofia Lacin and Hennessy Cristophel.

They are currently reaching out to individuals, companies and foundations to raise the $150,000 it will take to complete the project in time for the fall harvest. Please watch the video above and read some words from the team below to learn more about the project.  Donate now: brightunderbelly.com

What is Bright Underbelly? It is a game-changing, 70,000-square-foot mural that will wrap the gray cement of the Capitol City Freeway’s W/X streets underpass with color. Designed to reflect the vibrancy and excitement of The Sunday Farmers Market housed there, Bright Underbelly will be a home befitting California’s largest farmers market.  Bright Underbelly will bring much-needed warmth and a sense of permanence to an established community gathering place, and visible support for our region’s identification as the Farm-to-Fork Capital of America.

Lacin and Christophel are the talented duo behind L/C Mural & Design. We envision a mural that embraces the longevity and impact of The Sunday farmers market and is a tribute to the culture and history of its Southside Park location.  Our team has worked closely with Dan Best, who manages the market and 10 other Certified Farmers’ Markets in Sacramento County, and with Caltrans’ landscape architecture and related departments. The goal is to create a project that is the first of its kind in this district, and one that is a replicable template for community-based improvement. When completed in fall 2014, Bright Underbelly will be a highly recognizable icon honoring Sacramento’s past and a beacon for its future.