You’ve no doubt seen them, the colorful graphics adorning traffic and utility boxes throughout the city of San Luis Obispo. They’re part of the city’s Public Art Box Art Program originally managed by the Parks and Recreation Department and founded in 2010, making it the oldest utility box art program in California.
Launched as an anti-graffiti measure, the program was later adopted by the SLO City Council in 2016, and in 2025, it celebrated its 15th anniversary with more than 70 decorated boxes citywide. You can find a box art map on the city’s Parks and Recreation Department website.
You can meet a new crop of participating artists in the SLO Mission Plaza on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 11 a.m. to noon.
“Each of these talented individuals was selected through a competitive, community-reviewed process that values innovation, local culture, and inclusivity,” organizers announced. “For more information on the art jury process visit slocity.org/public art.”
You can also take a guided walking tour of some boxes on Wednesday, Oct. 14, meeting at 11 a.m. in SLO Mission Plaza.
“Join Public Art Coordinator Amanda Grieshop for a walking tour of the downtown utility boxes. Learn about artists, see older and recently wrapped boxes, ask questions, and connect with other art enthusiasts!” according to organizers. Δ
This article appears in Sept 17-24, 2026.
