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Currently in-progress, the transportation-based mural is expected to take up much of the hangar wall at Livermore Airport near the intersection of West Jack London Boulevard and Discovery Drive, starting June 2025. (Photo by Thomasin Dewhurst) 
The mural will feature a hydrogen-powered ferry, possible because of research at Sandia National Laboratories. The ferry was operational in 2024 for demonstration purposes. (Photo by Thomasin Dewhurst) 
Among the innovative technologies on the mural is a prototype of a hydrogen-electric jet by Sirius. (Photo by Thomasin Dewhurst) 
Project leader Thomasin Dewhurst painting the mural. (Photo courtesy of Thomasin Dewhurst)
A hangar wall at the Livermore Municipal Airport will soon be decorated with a permanent, multi-artist mural dedicated to clean transportation innovations.
Spearheaded by local artist Thomasin Dewhurst, the mural will feature hydrogen-powered ferries, alternative-fuel planes, and electric buses and tractors.
Not only intended to spotlight these green innovations, including contributions from Livermore-based companies like Gillig and Monarch Tractor, Dewhurst also hopes to bring attention to local artists.
Viewers will be able to see the mural from the intersection of West Jack London Boulevard and Discovery Drive in Livermore, as they wait at the street light. Or for a closer look, drivers can park near the mural and approach on foot.
“It’s celebrating mural art, it’s celebrating innovations in transport, but it’s also celebrating the individual artists and the artist as a vital part of the community,” Dewhurst said.
After completing the “1910 Livermore Western Pacific Railroad” mural in 2023, Dewhurst — who has contributed to other public art in the city like the “L Street Mural” of NASA astronauts and the “South Oak Street Cultural Mural” — was ready to pursue a new concept centered around modern transportation.
“I wanted to do something that looked to the future and worked with green engineering and transportation and clean fuels,” Dewhurst said.
Before work began on the mural last November, Dewhurst proposed the concept to airport staff, who supported her use of a hangar wall for its display.
She then applied for and received a $10,000 project and program grant through the city’s Commission for the Arts. With a recommendation from the commission, the City Council approved her request and financing was pulled from the public art fund.
The mural is meant to celebrate and bring attention to Livermore’s role in supporting clean transportation innovation, said Brandon Cardwell, director of the city’s Innovation and Economic Development Department. Cardwell added, “We also see the Livermore Airport as having a significant role to play in promoting cleaner aviation, including unleaded fuel, which is now being offered, as well as the potential for electric and alternative fuel aircraft.”
Adult artists involved in painting the mural include Dewhurst, Anne Giancola, Ghada Jamal, Thom See, Tuan Karsevar, John Iacono and Steve Hollmeyer, joined by student artists Cole Gable, Inara Hepting, Mikayla Henry, Jamie Yi, Katelyn D’Souza and Kenzie Taylor.
To the piece, each artist brings their own style, Dewhurst said.
“With this mural, what I didn’t want is just a generic style where the individuals get hidden,” she said. Instead, the multi-sectioned mural will be like a collage.
For the painting duet Jamal and Iacono, the collaborative process has been a breeze despite their differing specialties.
“It’s not about her style or my style,” Iacono said of the collaboration. “There’s this harmony of working together after a year. We can do this without even talking to each other.”
Dewhurst intends the mural to be completed by the end of June in time for a July 4 celebration at the airport.
Once installed, Dewhurst hopes the mural lasts through regular wear and tear for at least 10 years. Thanks to the material used, the mural could be relocated if necessary.
“They’re going to see how many wonderful artists there are in their area and they’re going to see their styles and they’re going to see the talent of people here in Livermore,” Jamal said of the mural. “Maybe it will raise the consciousness of the importance of art and the artists in our community.”
