Kerby Smith is pictured with his Community Art Banner, “Wild Tom Turkey,” located at and sponsored by the Coarsegold Professional Center – Richard Boland and Diane Boland.
‘Tis the season to look up! Four towns in Eastern Madera County are again transformed into open-air galleries as the 2026 Community Art Banner project is displayed in Coarsegold, Oakhurst, Bass Lake and North Fork.
All are invited to stroll through the historic communities and take in the vibrant works of art featured along the Community Art Banner Trail.
An online map to the trail is available at www.yosemitethisyear.com/community-art-banners and includes photos of the art and artists along with their bios and sponsors.
In addition to original artwork, each banner is backed with a sponsor name and an image of one of Madera County’s Wild Bunch Welcoming Committee, this year sporting patriotic top hats.
The Community Art Banner project began as a simple initiative to welcome guests with a community banner and in 2024 evolved into an expansive art display. The banners, showcasing local art, line the towns from Memorial Day Weekend through ARTober each year.
Teresa Sharp is shown holding the original artwork, “Welcome Bear.” The banner is located at and sponsored by. Century 21 Ditton Realty in Oakhurst.
The art banner project is a labor of love for the Eastern Madera County Foundation and its three committee members, Gina Mims, Steve Montalto and Rhonda Salisbury.
“Gina and Steve are leading the charge, I just back them up,” said Salisbury, CEO of Visit Yosemite | Madera County and president of the EMC Foundation.
“We received more than $7,700 in amazing sponsorships,” she added.
With a total of 34 colorful 3×6 foot banners decorating the foothills, Salisbury said the collection includes two more than last year and overall features both new and returning artists.
In early November, all the artworks will be auctioned off to fund future beautification projects.
Artists, locations and sponsors
Rivka Schaffner, “Kaleidoscope Nation,” Coarsegold Historic Village, sponsored by Laura Young Realtor.
Carolie Jensen, “Edyn in the Sierras,” Coarsegold Historic Village, sponsored by The CrisCom Company.
Kerby C. Smith, “Wild Tom Turkey,” Coarsegold Professional Center, sponsored by the Coarsegold Professional Center, Richard Boland and Diane Boland.
Shown is a Community Art Banner of work by Jim Morris, “Sod Buster,” located at the North Fork Market and sponsored by The Gnarly Carrot.
Cathy Desch, “Stars, Stripes & Sunshine,” Coarsegold Professional Center, sponsored by the Coarsegold Community Center.
Brooke Soukup, “The Great Gray Owl, out on the town,” Coarsegold Historic Village, sponsored by Beauty and the Beast Pet Grooming.
Katie Wing, “Leap BIG! Land into Oakhurst,” The Inelle Hotel & Hemlock Restaurant, sponsored by The Inelle Hotel & Hemlock Restaurant.
Gina Mims, “Soaring Spirit,” across from Taco Bell, sponsored by Oakhurst Spirits Distillery & Gallery.
Mikayla Soukup, “Planting Giants,” Vons/ Old Mill Village near Anytime Fitness, sponsored by Melanie Barker.
Autumn Ensign, “Welcome to Oakhurst,” South Gate Brewing Co., sponsored by Vyve Broadband.
Erin Cook, “Free Exchange of Ideas,” Madera County Government Center in Oakhurst, sponsored by Madera County.
Joy Crotty is pictured holding the original artwork for her Community Art Banner, “California Quail and Fiddleneck Flowers,” located at South Fork Mills Coffee in North Fork and sponsored by North Fork Community Power.
Andrew Regner, “Golden Hour Daffodils,” Oakhurst Giftworks, sponsored by Oakhurst Giftworks.
Teresa Sharp, “Welcome Bear,” Century 21 Ditton Realty, sponsored by Century 21 Ditton Realty.
Steve Montalto, “Messenger, “ Visitor Center in Oakhurst, sponsored by Visit Yosemite | Madera County.
Melanie Lopez, “See America … Yosemite,” 76 Gas Station/7-11 Store, sponsored by Frank Bigelow.
Jennifer Moss, “Half Dome, May,” Hampton Inn, sponsored by Yosemite Cinema.
Amanda Von Raeder, “Wakin’ Up To Jazz,” Fairfield Inn, sponsored by Brook Allen for Supervisor.
Barbara Liss, “Illuminated,” Holiday Inn Express, sponsored by Jessica Trettin, The Wandering Bride.
Gina Mims, “Splendor,” Silver Creek Center, sponsored by The Gallery at Oakhurst Spirits.
Lura Schwarz Smith, “Freedom Rises,” Yosemite Gateway Art Center, sponsored by Yosemite Gateway Art Center.
Luke Schaftary, “Acorn Woodpecker Lookout,” El Cid Mexican Cuisine, Sponsored by Custom Design Construction & Interiors, Inc. – Larry & Christy Smith.
The Bass Lake Boat Rentals-sponsored Community Art Banner is pictured featuring Visit Yosemite | Madera County mascot BLake the Bald Eagle at Dwight Samuels Park in the Pines Village at Bass Lake. The inset shows “Fireworks Over Bass Lake,” by Susan Becker.
Amy Morgan, “Abundance,” Community West Bank – Von’s Shopping Center, sponsored by Community West Bank.
Erin Cook, “Copper and Strongtium,” Stars & Stripes Realty in Bass Lake, sponsored by Stars & Stripes Realty.
Lubov Pavluk, “Precise Landing,” Pines Village Vacation Rentals, sponsored by Pines Village Vacation Rentals.
Luke Schaftary, “Lumberjack Bear,” The Pines Resort at Bass Lake, sponsored by The Pines Resort.
Bill Klemens, “Bass Lake Fireworks,” The Forks Resort at Bass Lake, sponsored by The Forks Resort.
Darvin Atkeson/Yosemite Landscapes, “Sweet Dreams Miller’s,” sponsored by Miller’s
Landing Resort at Bass Lake.
Susan Becker, “Fireworks Over Bass Lake,” The Pines Village – Dwight Samuel Park, Bass Lake, sponsored by Bass Lake Boat Rentals.
Jim Morris, “Sod Buster,” North Fork Market, sponsored by The Gnarly Carrot in North Fork.
Joy Crotty, “California Quail and Fiddleneck Flowers,” South Fork Mills Coffee in North Fork, sponsored by North Fork Community Power.
Mary Beth Harrison, “A Walk Among the Elders,” near the North Fork Market, sponsored by the South Fork Motel.
Steve Montalto, “Whiskey Falls,” near Hot Shot Coffee Shack in North Fork, sponsored by the Eastern Madera County Foundation.
Bill Klemens, “Nelder Grove Giant,” Buckhorn Saloon in North Fork, sponsored by South Fork Forest Solutions.
Joy Crotty, “Sunset Buck,” across from Hot Shot Coffee Shack, sponsored by Ponderosa.
Sandra Lee Scott, “Celebrate!” near Box Feed Store in North Fork, sponsored by Visit Yosemite | Madera County.
Auction Soiree for Community Art Banners
Save the date of Friday, Nov. 6 as the Oakhurst Community Center becomes the site of the Community Art Banner Auction Soiree from 5 – 7 p.m.
Tickets are $25 which includes a buffet, glass of champagne or cider and a door prize entry.
The evening promises to be filled with art, live music and community spirit. The no-host bar will be open for drink purchases including beer, wine or a cozy Oakhurst Spirits specialty drink.
One hundred percent of proceeds will benefit the Eastern Madera County Foundation’s community beautification projects. Sales of original artwork will be split between the artist and the Foundation.
The Eastern Madera County Foundation is a project-based organization with a mission to unite the mountain communities of Eastern Madera County to enhance community programs and infrastructure, preserve historical and cultural assets and support commerce for the betterment of the communities and tourism.
Visit www.easternmaderacountyfoundation.org for more.
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