Members of the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce’s 2025-26 Leadership Citrus Heights class pose in front of the new mural created by artist MAMMXTH during the “Rooted in Unity Reception” on May 12 at Rusch Park. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - A new mural now greets visitors at Rusch Park, but Tuesday night’s “Rooted in Unity Reception” celebrated more than public art. Community leaders, local businesses and residents gathered to mark a project organizers said reflects Citrus Heights’ focus on safety, beautification and collaboration.

The reception held on May 12 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. hosted by the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce’s 2025-26 Leadership Citrus Heights class, marked the completion of a community project that brought both public art and public safety improvements to the park through the installation of a new mural and an outdoor automated external defibrillator, or AED.

Held in partnership with Citrus Heights Arts and the Sunrise Recreation and Park District, the event featured live music from a jazz quartet, artwork from local artists, a silent auction and food and drinks from area restaurants and businesses.

Members of the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce’s 2025-26 Leadership Citrus Heights class display the newly installed automated external defibrillator (AED) at Rusch Park. Photo by Ornella Rossi

The mural was created by artist MAMMXTH, while local vendors including Momo’s Smokehouse, Black Angus Steakhouse, R Vida Cantina, Texas Roadhouse, Boeger Winery, Crumble Cookies and Dark Heart Brewing contributed to the evening’s reception.

“This was really about leaders coming together,” said Megan Smith-Fajardo of Republic Services, a member of the leadership cohort. “People think it’s to become a leader, but ideally you’re already a leader and you’re learning about the specific leadership of Citrus Heights so you can be more informed and more impactful.”

Smith-Fajardo said the class focused heavily on community safety and beautification when deciding on a project.

“It might not be obvious, but murals actually impact community safety,” she said. “When you have a place with murals, it doesn’t feel like a place for crime. By putting up the mural and the AED, we focused on community safety with the added benefit of beautification.”

The Leadership Citrus Heights program was recently revived after more than a decade-long hiatus, according to Chamber Executive Director Sheri Merrick.

Kevin Huntzinger, district administrator for the Sunrise Recreation and Park District, left, smiles alongside Citrus Heights Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff during the Leadership Citrus Heights “Rooted in Unity Reception” on May 12 at Rusch Park. Photo by Ornella Rossi

“I truly could not have asked for a better first class,” Merrick told attendees during remarks at the reception. “The diversity, the different backgrounds, I’m just so proud of these individuals that decided they wanted to step up for their community.”

She said the two priorities consistently surfaced throughout the program.

“The fact they were able to accomplish both of those is just mind-blowing,” Merrick said.

Citrus Heights Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff said the event reflected the city’s close-knit character.

“I always tell people Citrus Heights is a medium-sized city, but we function like a small town,” Lopez-Taff said. “That feeling is what we want for our residents, and it’s evident here today.”

The project also highlighted collaboration among public agencies, nonprofits and private businesses. Platinum sponsors included Almond Orchard Dental Care, Atlas Disposal and Republic Services.

Leadership class member Dr. Gabrielle Rasi of Almond Orchard Dental Care said the project addressed both civic pride and community well-being.

“It brings the city of Citrus Heights together to be involved in beautification, but also concerns about the health of our public,” Rasi said. “That is why we had our AED placed, as well as our mural, to make our city feel proud of what we have in our community.”

Top Sacramento artists were among exhibitors at Leadership Citrus Heights “Rooted in Unity Reception.” David Peterson (left) and Jian Wang show their works. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

Kevin Huntzinger, district administrator for the Sunrise Recreation and Park District, said the mural has already transformed the atmosphere of the park.

“It changes the whole vibe of the park,” Huntzinger said. “This mural is the first thing people will see when they come to the park, and that brings positivity.”

James Ellis of the Sac Metro Fire District, who also participated in the leadership class, emphasized the importance of making AEDs accessible in outdoor public spaces.

“Every park, every youth athletic complex should have one of these,” Ellis said.

Local arts advocate Citrus Heights Arts founder Gigi Rayford, who helped coordinate the reception’s art exhibit and assisted with the mural project, said public art projects often have impacts beyond aesthetics.

“Art makes people happy,” Rayford said. “It builds community morale and civic pride. The children absolutely love it, and it brings unity.”

Rayford added that public art can also encourage positive activity in shared spaces.

“We’ve seen with other murals that there hasn’t been defacing,” she said. “The beauty of the art deters people from bad activities.”

Looking ahead, Rayford said Citrus Heights Arts is preparing for another community mural project scheduled for June and encouraged residents to support the effort through donations and volunteer work. Information about participating is available through the organization’s website and social media pages.

The Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce’s 2025-26 Leadership Citrus Heights class includes Megan Smith-Fajardo; Dr. Gabrielle Rasi; James Ellis; Dylan Dudley; Daniel Howes; Robin Stuhr; Dave Jones; Makenna Gwaltney; Kathleen Martinez; Debra Miller; Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff; Jennifer Messerschmidt; Andrew Johnson; and Susan Powers. Photo by Ornella Rossi

Proceeds from the evening’s silent auction and fundraising activities will be donated back into future community projects and initiatives in Citrus Heights.

The Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce’s 2025-26 Leadership Citrus Heights class includes Megan Smith-Fajardo of Republic Services; Dr. Gabrielle Rasi of Almond Orchard Dental Care; James Ellis of Sac Metro Fire District; Dylan Dudley of All American Junk Haulin’; Daniel Howes of Good Hands Massage; Robin Stuhr of Atlas Disposal; Dave Jones of the Citrus Heights Police Department; Makenna Gwaltney of FieldHaven Feline Center; Kathleen Martinez of SMUD; Debra Miller of the Citrus Heights Police Department; Citrus Heights Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff; Jennifer Messerschmidt of Dignity Health Mercy San Juan Medical Center; Andrew Johnson of the Citrus Heights Water District; and Susan Powers of Powers Bookkeeping Services.