CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Exterior walls of Sunrise MarketPlace became the ideal canvas over the Memorial Day weekend for three artists who participated in the annual “Wide Open Walls” festival mural project in Citrus Heights.

Over the Memorial Day weekend, artists, some suspended on aerial lifts, 30 feet in the air, put the finishing touches on their creations.

The “Wide Open Walls” project aims to “activate spaces in alleyways and buildings throughout the greater Sacramento region,” according to its website.

The MarketPlace commissioned three new wall murals, two in the Marketplace at Birdcage, and the largest one at PetSmart which were completed last week, according to Kathilynn Carpenter, Sunrise MarketPlace executive director.

The annual Sacramento-based Wide Open Walls mural festival ran from May 12 to 22. To date, the annual festival has added 150 works of art to the central city and surrounding areas. The festival’s footprint expanded this year to surrounding communities of Citrus Heights, Elk Grove and Roseville.

Behind PetSmart on 6434 Sunrise Boulevard in Citrus Heights, the emerging face of a 30-foot-tall silver American eagle is set against a background of burnt orange, and magenta.

The giant mural, which features the word “Destination” in giant white letters was painted by artists Michael Connors and John Hamrick of STUDIOXMC in Reno, Nevada.

“It’s the largest mural we’ve ever done,” said artist John Hamrick. “The word ‘Destination’ generally describes the human spirit, and the sense of community which we share.”

Conners and Hamrick became the third mural team chosen by the “Wide Open Walls” project on short notice, with literally days to submit a sketch for approval and obtain materials. Started on May 18^th, their giant mural took 11 days to finish.

In time, the mural will be much more visible along a new pedestrian trail behind PetSmart, leading to the rear of Mitchell Village Park which is under development by the Sunrise Parks and Recreation District.

In all, Connors and Hamrick estimated that they would use some 40 gallons to paint the background and nearly 600 cans of commercial spray paint to complete their mural.

Incorporating bright orange, yellow, light blue and green, artist Jolene Rose Russell was seen putting the final touches on her mural which features citrus and floral blossoms along the back wall of Jamba Juice.

A third mural which was painted by Sacramento artist Rachel Kerns along the length of an exterior wall of Bath and Body Works, is painted in bright yellow and features a mix of colorful stars and a pink mosaic arch which features gold foil inlay.

In an earlier interview, Kerns, who has more than 30 such mural walls to her credit, said she looked forward to people interacting with her art through photographs and selfies.

According to Kathilynn Carpenter, Sunrise MarketPlace executive director, the three new murals were funded by the Gerrity Group, Intercal, with a partial funding of $5,000 given by the MarketPlace to each artist participating.