18 Mar Pittsburg Youth to Help Create ‘Urban Creativity Walls’

(Screenshot captured by Samantha Kennedy / The CC Pulse)

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By Samantha Kennedy

Pittsburg youth will lead a process to bring so-called urban creativity walls to the city, allowing local artists to transform the areas into more welcoming spaces.

The idea, part of a nearly $350,000 state grant-funded project to also include litter abatement, is meant to beautify the city while offering workforce development opportunities to at-risk youth and veterans.

Up to five youth will create guidelines for two “urban creativity walls.” Zuna Barker-Portillo, the city’s environmental health and safety officer, says they are basically an “open canvas” that are imagined to be rotated over time.

“It gives neighborhood students and local artists an easy and welcoming way to express themselves and to bring personality to the area,” said Barker-Portillo.

The walls will be located at Central Park Addition and at Willow Pass Road. Those locations will also receive litter abatement and landscaping services. Another three locations — areas on the Pittsburg/Antioch Highway, North Parkside and Range Road and 8th Street Linear Park — will also have litter cleanup.

Up to six veterans will be brought on to conduct litter abatement and landscaping.

The City Council unanimously accepted the $348,960 Clean California Community Enhancement Program grant from the state Department of Transportation at its Monday meeting.

Mayor Dionne Adams and council member Arlene Kobata welcomed the idea.

“It gives youth their sense of worth sometimes and brings out their creativity and expression,” said Kobata.

Adams, who grew up in the city, said there was not a spot to do the same when she was younger.

“Growing up, I was a kid that was really into art, and we didn’t really have a place to activate. So I love this idea,” said Adams.

Barker-Portillo said that the goal is for the youth to conduct a community survey and develop a budget for the creativity walls.

“Teaching them how to manage finances, decision-making and project management — the skills they can use in the future. This program will also expose them to different city employees and city jobs,” said Barker-Portillo.

Two other projects have been funded through the program. The city completed the “Reviving the Heart of Pittsburg Pride” project in 2024 with almost $2.9 million from the program to make upgrades on Railroad Avenue and received another $1.35 million grant for the “Living Green Pittsburg” project.