Bob the Dog" Mural
At Enotria Wine Bar & Café
1431 Del Paso Boulevard
By Artist Rod Swenson
Rod Swenson is a professional artist who is most famous--or infamous--for his "Bob the Dog" paintings. In fact, the cartoonish canine has been Swenson's signature character. The pointy nose and eyeless dog with impossible feet has been an enduring artistic icon for Swenson, who has sold hundreds of Bob the Dog paintings.
Swenson has painted three murals of Bob the Dog, one in Springfield, Oregon, and two in Sacramento. One at 28th St. and Capitol Ave. and this one pictured here, at the Enotria Wine Bar & Café Restaurant on Del Paso Boulevard at Arden Way.
Swenson, graduated from Highland High School in Roseville in 1961, and has been making a living as a painter for 10 years, the last three residing in China.
Sculpture: "Transitions in Growth" (Ceramic, Metal, and Paint)
Located at SETA "Plaza Del Paso" Building
The first public artworks commissioned for Del Paso Bouelvard through the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission's Art in Public Places (APP) program are located at 925 Del Paso Boulevard, home of the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA). Prior public art was commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce. These works of art (totaling $120,000) were funded by 2% of the overall redevelopment budget for the building (roughly 100,000 sq ft reuse of warehouse building). The artists selected to create commissioned public artworks include: Michael Dunlavey (lead concept artist), Michael Riegel, Maggie Jimenez, Robert Charland, and Holly Curcio.
The Artworks center on the theme "Transitions in Growth" that include the use of metal sculpture and ceramic mosaics in four exterior areas and painted metal sculptures in the day care center area of the Plaza Del Paso project. The works were unveiled in February of 2003, and have been well received by the North Sacramento and artistic communities. Michael Dunlavey was honored in 2003 with the North Sacramento Chamber of Commerce's inaugural Michael Himovitz Artistic Achievement Award for outstanding artistic contribution to the Uptown District for his role and vision as lead concept artist for this project. It's a great addition and artistic gateway to Del Paso Boulevard!
Virgil Chapman Bronze Bust
by Artist/Sculptor Gerald Silva
In 2001, the North Sacramento Chamber and Rotary Clubs launched an effort to recognize the life contributions of Virgil Chapman with a memorial bust to be placed at the intersection of Arden Way and Del Paso Boulevard - the eastern entrance to the Arden-Garden Connector. Each organization pledged $5,000 and led a campaign to raise $40,000 to commission local Artist/Sculptor Gerald Silva. Chamber Boardmember Buddy Bergstrom led the effort.
Dedicated in 2002, the Bust is a remarkable piece of public art in Sacramento, and one of the very few created from a grassroots fundraising effort. Artist/Sculptor Gerald Silva captured a remarkable likeness of Virgil, and the matching of stone and bronze and scale make a commanding presence at the intersection for pedestrians and motorists alike.
Virgil Chapman, often elected the "Honorary Mayor of North Sacramento" in Chamber Fundraising efforts in the 1950's and 60's, was an active Chamber member, active and generous Rotarian and tireless ambassador for North Sacramento. He pushed for the Arden-Garden Connector for nearly 40 years - and was responsible for many of North Sacramento's improvements - like the Streetlights on Del Paso Boulevard.
Here is the inscription on the plaques on this sculpture honoring him for his involvement with and for the community: 1905-1996 Lovingly remembered as the "honorary Mayor" of North Sacramento. Virgil dedicated most of his adult life to the betterment of the community and business district of North Sacramento. As a Businessman, Realtor and Rotarian his efforts to improve our community were tireless. He ran for Congress in 1940 and was instrumental in raising the funds for street lighting along the Boulevard in 1948. He was active until the day he passed encouraging civic improvement throughout the district including the construction of the much needed Arden-Garden Connector. Virgil was a remarkable man who will be missed by his friends, family and community. He truly lived Rotary's motto of: "Service above Self."
