Participating artists and guests gathered for a group photo with Gigi Rayford, Citrus Heights Arts executive director, and Citrus Heights City Manager Ash Feeney. Photo courtesy of Citrus Heights Arts photo

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Citrus Heights City Hall’s interior lobby walls, hallways and a main conference room came alive with splashes of color last week as Citrus Heights Arts, in partnership with the city of Citrus Heights, hosted an opening Thursday night reception to celebrate “Art in City Hall.”

“Public art is more than decoration; it’s a catalyst for community engagement, economic growth and civic pride,” said Gigi Rayford, Citrus Heights Arts executive director, adding that art is a “powerful tool.”

The juried pop-up art exhibition provides local artists using a variety of art mediums the unique opportunity to display their work inside Citrus Heights City Hall, bringing their creativity into the heart of civic life. The current exhibition continues on display into 2026.

Rayford encouraged reception attendees to meet the artists who were there and talk with them about their work.

Unexpected weather last weekend caused the rescheduling of Citrus Heights ArtBeat, a local arts and music festival to be held at Rusch Community Park to spring 2026 to ensure the safety of vendors, artists and community members, Rayford said.

In recent years, the City of Citrus Heights has increasingly invested in arts and cultural programming, partnering with the nonprofit Citrus Heights Arts to launch several events and initiatives including the ArtBeat art and music festival and supporting multiple mural installations along Auburn Boulevard.

Gigi Rayford, Citrus Heights Arts executive director, welcomes event guests to art pop-up in City Hall in the main conference room of Citrus Heights City Hall. Photo by Thomas J. Sullivan

Reception attendees enjoyed light hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer, taking time to fully experience and appreciate a wide range of creative styles on display. Wall space was filled with works of varied sizes. Some pieces were displayed beside portraits of current city council members outside of council chambers.

Last week, the Citrus Heights City Council also unanimously approved the formation of an official Citrus Heights Arts District, which has been established along Auburn Boulevard from the Sylvan Community Center to the northern city limits.

Auburn Boulevard is already home to several public murals and creative projects with many more to follow, Rayford told reception guests who included Councilmember Porsche Middleton and City Manager Ash Feeney.

Citrus Heights officials say the Auburn Boulevard corridor offers similar potential. Rather than developing a single large-scale project, the city plans to take an incremental, community-driven approach that blends art, design and partnerships with ongoing revitalization efforts.

“The Arts District represents the next step in strengthening the city’s identity and connecting people through creativity,” said city staff in their report to City Council. “By celebrating local talent and cultivating a sense of place, Citrus Heights can continue to grow as a vibrant and welcoming community.”

A virtual walking tour of more than 11 of the murals which have been completed so far are now visible to drivers traveling along Auburn Boulevard from Sylvan Corners at the corner of Sylvan Road and Auburn Boulevard, heading north, and each of the artists who created them is planned to be announced soon, Rayford said.

Follow Citrus Heights Arts at https://citrusheightsarts.org or @CitrusHeightsarts on social media.

Citrus Heights City Hall is located at 6315 Fountain Square Drive.