By KRISTI MAYFIELD
For a while there, it was kind of strange to drive into Oakdale from the north end of the city as the Cowboy Mural, the mural that welcomed visitors from far and wide to the Cowboy Capital of the World, was starting to lose its luster. Thanks to Kelly and Matt Budine, proprietors of Bistro 120, the mural is now looking better than ever. With their sponsorship, original artist Aaron “Fasm” Vickery and fellow artist Vinny Cabrera of the Painted Ape Gallery and Tattoos completed the restoration in just three days’ time.
The mural graces the side of the Bistro 120 building, at the corner of North Yosemite and East E Street downtown.
Featuring orchards filled with blossoms flanking the stoic cowboy and his trusty steed, the mural is now more colorful than ever. Serving as a reminder of this area’s agricultural history and Oakdale’s longstanding and historic connection to cowboys, rodeos and their legacies, the mural is both a portrait of a vibrant community and a visual reminder of the region’s rich landscape.
For more information on future restorations or upcoming events, please contact https://oakdalearts.org/
