Boarded up storefronts are a sad reality. Whether it was an emergency, a long-term closure, riots, or weather, everyone can agree that plywood all over your downtown is not a good look. Sometimes it’s just a matter of a few weeks and then a business installs a new street entry door. But other times it’s months to years because the area has had an economic downturn.

One Sacramento neighborhood experienced this downturn and took control over those provisional board ups on downtown commercial storefronts. What was once a bunch of plywood that represented harsh economic conditions and political unrest is now an outdoor gallery of mural art that represents community, social values and resiliency. Take a look –