You may have noticed something new taking shape on the side of our brewhouse. Over the past few weeks, the once-blank north facing wall at North Coast Brewing Co. has been steadily transforming into a bold and colorful mural, one that’s quickly becoming a landmark in downtown Fort Bragg. In collaboration with the Alleyway Art Project, we’re proud to be the home of a re-creation of local artist Larry Foster’s painting Gray Whale in Kelp. Now almost complete, the mural is already turning heads! We’re excited to share more about the process, the people behind it, and what it means to us and our community.
Beer That Does More: Supporting Art in our Hometown
In spring of 2024, the Alleyway Art Project reached out to us about adding a new mural to the north-facing wall of our building, and of course, we said yes. Part of the Arts Council of Mendocino County, this fantastic local initiative is dedicated to bringing vibrant outdoor art to the streets of Fort Bragg. You might already be familiar with their work; they’re also behind many of the other colorful murals throughout town. Be sure to check out the Alleyway Art Project website for a full walking tour of murals to explore during your next visit to Fort Bragg!
Mural Tells the Story of Sea, Science, and Sustainability
The mural selected for our north wall is celebrated local artist Larry Foster’s Gray Whale in Kelp, a striking piece that also appears in his book The Art of Discovering Whales. Born in Sacramento, Foster originally trained as a fine artist. He earned both a BA and MA from the California State University Sacramento and refined his craft studying under world renowned painter Wayne Thiebaud. In the 1960s, he shifted his focus toward creating scientifically accurate whale paintings to raise awareness about the human impact on marine life.
Whales have a deep meaning for us, too. As a brewery rooted by the sea, we strive to keep the ocean healthy for the animals who share our local waters through water recycling and other sustainable efforts. The gray whale holds a special place in our story, its migration path was the inspiration behind Laguna Baja, our Mexican style lager.
Another important element of the mural is the kelp, which serves as the foundation for a vibrant ecosystem integral to our region’s marine life. For authenticity, the type of kelp depicted was changed from Larry’s original painting to our native bull kelp. Sadly, these vital kelp forests are disappearing along the coast. We hope the mural sparks conversation and inspires greater awareness and stewardship of our ocean environment.
Mural Beginnings: Behind the Scenes
Talented local muralist Marta Alonso Canillar is the one bringing Larry Foster’s artwork to life on our wall. Originally from Spain, Marta has called California home since 1990. You might recognize her work from the vibrant mural at Mariposa Market in Willits, CA, as well as several other pieces around Fort Bragg created in partnership with the Alleyway Art Project.
Before Marta could begin painting, we gave the wall a thorough cleaning. Then came the primer, and after that, the “squiggle grid.” At first glance, it might look like a collection of playful doodles, and in a way, it is. But this technique is a clever and precise method: using each squiggle as a reference point, Marta can accurately scale and transfer the details of her reference artwork onto the full-sized wall.
Mural Celebration Coming Soon!
The mural is now nearly complete, and we’re thrilled to announce its grand debut during North Coast KelpFest! This local festival celebrates art, music, food, and environmental education throughout Fort Bragg and nearby Mendocino. At its heart is the story of the disappearing kelp on the Northern California coast, an emblem of the delicate balance in our local ecosystem. Our mural celebration event is just one of many events throughout the weekend, so if you’ve been thinking about a trip to Fort Bragg, this is the perfect time to visit.
Join us on October 5th at the Pub at North Coast Brewing in our Sequoia Room between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to kick off the celebration. You’ll find great beer, delicious food, and copies of The Art of Discovering Whales by Larry Foster available for purchase. Larry will be signing books and donating a portion of the proceeds to the Nature Conservancy to help the kelp restoration project. Then, at 5:30 p.m., we’ll head across the street for the official celebration of the mural. Bring your cameras and your friends as we celebrate this stunning new piece of public art and raise a glass to kelp and the vibrant ecosystem it represents.
A Whale-Sized Thank You to Our Creative Community
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who helped bring this mural to life. A heartfelt thank you to Larry Foster for allowing us to share his beautiful Gray Whale in Kelp artwork in such a bold and public way. Our deepest appreciation also goes to Marta Alonso Canillar, whose talent and vision transformed the wall into something truly unforgettable. And of course, none of this would have been possible without the dedication and support of the Alleyway Art Project, whose mission continues to inspire creativity throughout our city, The Arts Council of Mendocino County, and we cannot forget the City of Fort Bragg, whose city council and staff have been so generous with their time and resources.
This mural is a testament to the power of local partnerships, art, and shared purpose. It’s a celebration of our community, our coast, and the stories that connect us all.
Come see what’s surfacing at North Coast Brewing Co.! We can’t wait to share it with you.
