Indio Hires Art Conservation Firm To Assess City's Murals

INDIO, CA —The city of Indio announced this week that it is working with professional art conservators to assess and preserve the city's mural collection.

The 11 murals are located throughout the city and include both commissioned and vintage pieces. The oldest mural was created in 1997, and most were done in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

According to Coachella Valley Weekly, the murals reflect the history of the Coachella Valley, as well as the people, events and aspects that make up the desert's heritage.

A conservation foreman from EverGreene Architectural Arts visited Indio and surveyed all 11 murals, the city said. Each mural also was appraised, photographed and tested, and a physical inspection was done to determine the condition above and below the surface of each mural.

In the coming weeks, the company will release a report about each piece, and include professional recommendations and costs for conservation.

Indio's Public Arts Commissions will then evaluate the report and make recommendations about repairs based on the findings, while making plans for future murals in the city.

"The city has prioritized updating and maintaining our public arts collection," said Debra Alleyne. a public art management analyst. "So as we prepare to take care of our murals, we will also receive guidance on how to move forward to create new murals in our community that will last."