By Sara Beth Williams–
Another mural has been added at Rusch Community Park, this time at the skate park.
According to a recent social media post from Citrus Heights Arts, the artwork marks a “major upgrade” to the park’s skate ramp area, a space long known as a gathering place where people “show up, push themselves and build community.”
The mural was created by artist Andre Shaw, also known as MAMMXTH—pronounced “mammoth”—and was designed to reflect the movement, culture and energy of the park. Organizers say the piece captures not just skateboarding, but the people and atmosphere that define the space.
“This is what public art should do,” the nonprofit said in its post. “Reflect the space and the community around it.”
Citrus Heights Arts also credited Sunrise Recreation and Parks for supporting the project and helping bring the mural to life.
This is the second mural installation at Rusch Park. Another mural was recently painted on the back wall of a restroom building near the community pool, facing Auburn Boulevard. The first mural was also supported by the Sunrise Recreation and Park District.
Shaw, an accomplished muralist and artist, has painted multiple murals throughout Citrus Heights and the county of Sacramento. He has been drawing for as long as he can remember, but began truly pursuing art as a career in 2015, and only began to paint canvas and mural paintings in the last three years.
In a bio released by the nonprofit, Shaw said being an artist comes third in his life, after being a husband and a father.
“There would be no MAMMXTH without these things first,” he says.
Related: Meet the artist behind this Citrus Heights mural – Citrus Heights Sentinel
Citrus Heights Arts also hinted that more is on the way, teasing a “part 2” to the project in the near future.
The new artwork adds to ongoing efforts to enhance public spaces in Citrus Heights, blending recreation with creative expression through a new CH 40 arts district, launched by the nonprofit last year.
Related: Citrus Heights establishes new Arts District – Citrus Heights Sentinel
