Main Street Murals is a non-profit 501 c(3) organization set up in the city of Barstow to create a walking gallery of historic murals along Route 66's Last Existing Main Street. Over the years our community outreach has expanded and we now offer a range of educational activities and community events from the Desert Discovery Center, located in the heart of Barstow.

We are dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the historical, ecological and cultural heritage of the Mojave Desert, through the development of creative art, education and recreation opportunities that enrich the community and attract tourism. Illustrating Barstow’s Past to Enhance its Future.

The Main St Murals Youth Program is based at the Desert Discovery Center where we host workshops, presentation and public activities year round.

HOT OFF THE PRESS LATEST NEWS!



Register now for 2012 youth program

Desert Discovery Center Project Developement & Main St Murals in the news. CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE For Mural In a Day Youth Program

CLICK HERE For Brad Mitzelfelt tours Barstow Murals

Horse and Carriage tours of Barstow Route 66 Mural Gallery

June 25th Main St Murals hosted a horse and carriage tour of the growing gallery of murals along Barstow's Main St to a sold out crowd of history and art enthusiasts.
Main St Murals joined forces with The Big Horse Carriage Company from Palm Springs which proved to be a big hit with participants and spectators alike.
Steve Smith, local historian was the tour guide and also gave participants a look back in time with his slide show and presentation of 100 years of Route 66.
The event is part of the organisations tourism efforts to bring fun and original activities to the city for tourists and the local community.
Participants heralded from LA, San Diego, San Bernardino, New Mexico and the High Desert.

The next horse and carriage tour is planned for the Fall and Monthly walking mural tours are led on the last Saturday of each month  from September through to June. All proceeds  go toward the youth and art programs led by Main St murals who are based at the  Desert Discovery Center, 831 Barstow Road.  For enquiries regarding mural artists, membership and youth programs please call  Jane Laraman-Brockhurst 760 220 4351.

WALKING MURAL TOURS
In addition to our Horse and Wagon tour, we also host monthly walking mural tours which include a slide show entitled "150 years along Main Street" by Steve Smith of the Mojave River Valley Museum, followed by a walking mural tour of Barstow growing gallery of public art depicting history of the region from Stone Age to Space Age. The tour meets at Barstow Flower & Bridal located on the corner of 7th and Main Street and the program kicks off at 10am.

Walking Mural Tour Dates in 2011:   March, April, May 28th

The Walking Mural Tour is a great walk back in history through the presentation of Photographs, Stories and Large Mural Art - it’s fun, informative and FREE!

  Take a look at the lastest film documentry of the 2009 Ice Age Youth program.

EDUCATION PROJECTS
    The 2011 after school youth program "Discovery the Mojave" run by Main St Murals at the Desert Discovery Center came to an artistic close with the painting of a new mural "Wild Flowers of the Mojave" Students helped paint the flower studies to compliment the main mural painted by Muralist Kathy Fierro which is currently on display at the Desert Discovery Center.  Students have spent five months studying the flora, fauna, history and geology of the Mojave Desert through presentations, hands on classes and field trips. For the final event kids and family spent the day getting creative and the day came to a close with a presentation of awards from Desert Discovery Center Partnership and San Bernardino County.  Kids have also spent time painting and building CRAZY CACTUS to sell as a fundraiser for the YOUTH PROGRAM that runs year round and is offered by the partnership FREE of charge.  CRAZY CACTUS sculptures can be purchased as a program donation to the non profit for $250, $500 and $1,000.  All enquiries please call 760 252 6060.  www.mainstreetmurals.com & www.desertdiscoverycenter.com

    The 2011 Youth Program "Discovering The Mojave Desert" is underway. This 5 month program is packed with fun classes, field trips and creative art activities and our team of Historians, Paleontologists, Geologists, Bureau of Land Management Rangers, National Parks Rangers, Naturalist, Writers and Artists are leading the group on a journey of discovery as they discover the wonders of the Mojave Desert.

An exhibition of the project is on display at the DDC including drawings, poetry, photography and a mural will be completed on Sat 28th May. So be sure to drop in and see the myriad of exhibits and enjoy the peaceful garden and pool with Desert Tortoise habitat.

This project is made possible by the wonderful support of:
The City of Barstow, The Community Foundation - Desert Legacy Fund, Barstow Community College, Southern California Edison, Mojave Environmental Education Consortium, and the Desert Discovery Center Partnership.

The educational programs are devised and led by Jane and David Brockhurst of OFF LIMITS DESIGN Inc, for and on behalf of Main St Murals and Discovery Trails

click here for a visual update of the 120 foot community art project dedicated at Barstow skate Park Event 2nd Oct 2010. This is the largest piece of public art in Barstow and possible the whole of San Bernardino County, also it was nominated for the best Event of 2010

    Picture of the "ICE AGE" educational program whilst on a visit to LA BREA TAR PITS Los Angeles in March. The group were treated to guided tours of the outside excavation pits and also the museum and laboratory where the  group saw paleontologist working on the most recent finds at the sight.

    For further information regarding the Main St Murals and Discovery Trails Programs including, Youth Projects,  Walking Mural Tours and becoming a member/ registering, please contact Jane Laraman-Brockhurst @
760 257 1052.

  Take a look at the 2008 youth program in our Educational Film Documentary. Its Fun, it's Creative and
  it's FREE to our Youth!

The Desert Discovery Center (DDC) is comprised of a unique partnership between the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Barstow Unified School District,Barstow Community College, Mojave RiverValley Museum, City of Barstow, Discovery Trails, Southern California Edison, Main St Murals and Off Limits Design Inc.  The mission of the DDC is to develop and implement a comprehensive formal and informal education center with programs focusing on the natural, cultural, and historic resources associated with the Mojave Desert. Main St Murals are proud and honored to be a contributory partner in this exciting center.

www.californiastories.org
This project is made possible, in part, by a grant from the California Council for the Humanities

We invite you to explore our growing gallery of murals both online and in person. Next time you are heading through the Inland Empire on the I 15 or I 40, check out Barstow’s display of growing public Art in downtown Barstow, browse around downtown Treasure House Antique Mall and explore the sites and sounds of our interesting city that is steeped in history and culture.

Some of the sites to see in and around Barstow include:
    Calico Early Man archeological site, Calico Ghost Town, Desert Discovery Center, Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex, Historic Harvey House, Mojave River Valley Museum, Rainbow Basin, Route 66 Museum, Western American Railroad Museum. Look out for special events and festivals held throughout the year in our events page.

NEWS.BYTES from the BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
“Old Spanish Trail” – Performance Art Workshop
“Native American Voice of the Mojave Desert” – After School Program

All enquiries
Tel: 760 252 6060
E-mail: info@mainstreetmurals.com

"Illustrating Barstow's past to enhance its future"