Three classic figures—splendor, joy and good cheer—now reside at the front of Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Co., representing the “stronger together” ethos that has been a theme since a devastating car crash shook the building.
The artist behind this temporary mural, which went up last Friday is internationally renowned figurative artist John Peck. Within this mural, he conveys the spirit of Los Gatos and LGCRC. With his capable brushstrokes, he painted “Stronger Together” in just 27 days.
This mural will stand until the cafe side is reopened, following the tragic Thanksgiving solo collision that eventually killed the driver and destroyed much of the building. Restoration of this area may take many months to complete.
“It’s surreal that in the tragedy of that car crash, there would be this opportunity to present classic art,” Peck said at the unveiling. “We do know that it is part of a renaissance. I love the word ‘renaissance,’ because I think we are doing somewhat of a renaissance here.”
At the ceremony, David Lambert, a Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce boardmember, said he thinks that the tragedy showed how the town can come together for a greater good.
“You know,” Lambert said, “I think it’s just such an excellent way to bring art to the people who may otherwise not get inside of a gallery. I love art; it is inclusive.”
This mural project was underwritten by Los Gatos Music & Arts. And it was made possible by Peck offering to paint it for the cost of supplies—not to mention the generosity of its many supporters.
LGM&A board thanked them all, including David Lambert, Shirley Julian, Lee Hicks and Neal Menschel.
NUMU Speaker Series
For a little over a year, speakers have been invited to speak on a monthly basis at NUMU.
This past Friday, I was invited to speak on the “Newspaper Wars” with Cheryl Huguenor, a tours and visitors services official at the museum.
She spoke about the insults that editors printed to one another, and how opposing papers kept on lowering their price to attract readers.
She said legendary local William Henry Benton Trantham (publisher of the Los Gatos News for 31 years) wrote his “Largest. Best. Cheapest. Read it.” motto under the masthead on the front page, adding publishers “worked early—and late—for small pay, and often on long credit.”
I spoke about the more recent publications, the Los Gatan on Wednesday (locally owned) and the Los Gatos Weekly-Times (owned by an out-of-state corporation). I also highlighted recent name/ownership changes of weekly publications here and in Saratoga.
I asked the attentive audience what they would like to see on the front page.
Gil Mesa said, “I really like all of the local sports reporting and photos.”
Another guest chimed in, “We really like the part about the newspaper wars—could you start one again?”
The February series will be on John Steinbeck, who lived in what is now Monte Sereno, not to be missed.
