This is the Masonic Temple building. I was married there two years ago and as far as I have heard it is still an active rental facility along with a meeting house for Masons. So sad about that mural, it was one of my favorites as well.

The mural was done by artist Stephanie Taylor and 1996 according to her website. I would be interested to know why its coming down as well.

Here's the skinny on the mural. It is finally being replaced by the vendor, Metromedia Technologies. They printed the original mural in 1996. It lasted many more years than we expected, but finally started to fail in 2007. The Downtown Partnership and the City paid to have it reprinted- it's digital- and reinstalled in October 2007. By June I noticed that edges were lifting and began to TRY to communicate with the vendor. It has taken all this time. My understanding is that they are removing the existing vinyl. It looks like they're intending to take it down to the original stucco. I will update as soon as I hear more news.

UPDATE from Downtown Sacramento Partnership:
As mentioned by Stephanie Taylor, the mural IS in the process of being removed so that the new and improved mural can go up. The work to remove the existing vinyl has proven to be a lengthier process than either the DSP or the installers had anticipated, so the process has slowed down a bit, but will resume any day now.

The vendor and installers are working diligently to make sure that it is reinstalled properly and we look forward to seeing Taylor's mural returned to its full glory! Any questions can be forwarded to jbeckner@downtownsac.org.

Just got word from Lisa Martinez, Downtown Sacramento Partnership: "It’s being repaired and reinstalled. It’s taking a while, but it should be up soon."

Thanks for raising this question about public art in our town, Kati.

And thanks to the Downtown Sacramento Partnership and Julia Beckner for the work and money it's taking to protect public art.

And finally, thanks to Stephanie Taylor and other artists who create beautiful or thought-provoking murals, and to building owners who make walls available and hire local artists.

I saw it today and it looks like they're removing the last of it with a power washer. Shame to see it go. Hopefully the new version lasts for a much longer time. I have lots of friends who loved that ole mural and thought it was cool.