The Calaveras Murals reflect the unique ecosystem of the Calaveras River, a body of water that is part of the San Joaquin Delta. Many children hadn’t realized that the Calaveras River flowed by their schools; over 200 of these students ages 6 through 18 contributed to the creation of the murals. Students also accompanied the artists in expeditions to the river itself, collecting reference material and observing wildlife first-hand; the artists and students also participated in an annual river clean-up. Students learned about the function of the pumps stations, which connect to the river as part of the city’s water system.

Through this project, Wowhaus redefines the mural as a dynamic rather than a static element in the landscape through a system to create lenticular murals: two large-scale images on one wall function as a two-cell animation; the image changes constantly as the viewer passes by. This system also enables the artist to invite large-scale community participation in the creation of a monumental work; many people can contribute to the conception and creation of the project. This process embraces a new approach to ceramic tile production, emphasizing collective collaboration.