Forbes Mill Footbridge Youth Art Panels Added to Library Database

Photos of local children's artwork on the Forbes Mill Footbridge that spans Highway 17 and links Forbes Mill and Old Town are now showcased on a new revamped Los Gatos Library Hooked on Los Gatos—The Library and History Museum project database.

For most murals there is a photo taken immediately after it was painted, as well as photos taken in 2011, according to Los Gatos Librarian Henry Bankhead.

The collection consists of more than 400 photos of the children's artwork, Bankhead said.

Some murals have been painted over with new murals and in some cases both versions exist in the collection, he added.

Unfortunately graffiti, as well as the elements have degraded some of the existing art works, but the original photos show some of the paintings before they were defaced, he said.

Many of the murals depict historic aspects of the Town of Los Gatos, Bankhead explained.

The Los Gatos Arts and Culture Commission is revising a proposed a plan to revitalize the art displayed on the bridge. 

The youth art on the Footbridge started in 1994 with the theme "Capturing Life in Los Gatos."