Pearl Street Mall Alleyway Activated with Sustainability-Themed Mural
Ribbon cutting celebration of Downtown Boulder pedestrian alley mural to take place Wednesday, November 9 at 2 pm.
Boulder, CO [November 8, 2022] – Unico Properties LLC, a subsidiary of Unico Investment Group LLC that owns and manages more than 3 million square feet of commercial and mixed use space in Colorado, announced the completion of Green Harmony by local artist Austin Zucchini-Fowler in the pedestrian alley on the 1400 block of Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall. The mural was created as part of the Street Wise Boulder’s 2022 ARTivism Mural Festival and in partnership with the Downtown Boulder Community Initiatives, the Pedestrian Shops, and Bulldog Electric.
In addition to the mural, Unico installed lighting throughout the alleyway to make for a more welcoming pedestrian experience. The now-open pedestrian alley, located between the Ehrlich Building and the Pedestrian Shops on Pearl Street, is used by the retail workforce of the Mall that connects to a nearby parking garage. In addition to the installation of the mural, lights were fitted into the alley by Bulldog Electric to increase safety with the upcoming early winter evenings.
“At Unico, it’s our mission to create places that people want to be,” said Billy Woodward, Unico’s Colorado market leader and director, “This alleyway beautification not only celebrates Boulder’s art scene and commitment to sustainability but activates the well-trafficked thru-way to create a safer, more welcoming experience for the many pedestrians who walk through the alley each day.”
The theme of the mural is representative of the city of Boulder and Unico’s respective commitments to sustainability, featuring imagery of wind, solar, and water energy. Zucchini-Fowler was chosen to create the piece by Street Wise Boulder as part of the mural festival’s selection process, under the leadership of Leah Brenner Clack. The artist is known locally for his works that aim to spread gratitude on walls across Colorado.
“This has by far been my largest and most fulfilling mural I have ever created,” said muralist Austin Zucchini-Fowler. “This work stretched over 3,000 square feet of paint on three different planes. I believe all murals need to be seen in person, but this work provides a truly unique experience that can only be understood in person. I would like to thank the boulder community for the opportunity and collaboration in concept.”
Zucchini-Fowler describes the two walls that make up the alleyway mural: “As you're walking on Pearl Street you will be invited into the alley by a Gaia figure [on the first wall] that represents ‘Going Green.’ She is painted in blue and green tones and is holding a turbine windmill. Instead of your typical turbines, they have been replaced with flower petals. I wanted to show the beauty of wind energy and its natural connection to the earth.
The second wall represents sustainable connections. Sustainable energy is all about harmony with the earth. On this wall, I wanted to convey that harmony with two hands coming together. On one side solar and earth energy is represented and on the other side, hydro water energy is represented. Behind the two hands coming together, I wanted to paint the essence of energy through color.”
The annual mural festival was organized by Street Wise Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to create mural projects and promote art education. Unico Properties was a proud sponsor of the 2022 festival.
An official opening of the mural is set to take place at the mural on Wednesday, November 9 at 2 pm. which will feature a special ribbon-cutting program.
# # #
For more information:
Britt Diehl | britt@sidecarpr.com | 301-606-0876
About Unico Properties LLC
Unico Properties LLC, a subsidiary of Unico Investment Group LLC, is a commercial real estate investor, developer, and full-service operator focused on office and multifamily assets in emerging markets throughout the United States. Committed to transforming the built environment for the better, Unico has been acquiring, managing and developing commercial properties in Colorado for more than 13 years. Unico currently owns and operates nearly 4 million square feet of commercial properties in Colorado. For more information about Unico, please visit the firm’s website at https://unicoprop.com.
About Downtown Boulder Community Initiatives
Downtown Boulder Community Initiatives (DBCI) (formerly known as the Downtown Boulder Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created in 2017. The organization's mission is to engage visitors and locals alike through arts, culture, innovation and inclusive, community-driven experiences in downtown Boulder. (DBCIBoulder.org). DBCI, along with the Downtown Boulder Business Improvement District, falls under the umbrella of the parent organization, the Downtown Boulder Partnership.