By Holly Boitano -

A new mural project will soon be under way in Sutter Creek. The canvas for the 130-foot “Walk to School” mural will be a cement wall that runs adjacent to the church on Spanish Street. Local artist and teacher Rand Huggett will orchestrate the project, which he said should take about two months to complete. Huggett and resident Mel Welsh presented the design at the Sutter Creek City Council meeting Monday night, to an enthusiastic audience. Huggett is well known for several mural projects throughout the community, and has been an art teacher at Amador High School for many years. Welsh helped to instate the safe routes to school program in Sutter Creek last year. Huggett said that some of his art students would help work on the mural, and he commented that projects like this are very rewarding for everyone involved -- teachers, students, and the community alike.