Something exciting has arrived at Town & Country Village. We’re thrilled to unveil two vibrant new murals that celebrate the rich character of Palo Alto and history of Town & Country Village as a community anchor. Created by Maxfield Bala, these pieces weave together the landscapes, landmarks, and deep roots of innovation that define this city.
The Artist
We’re proud to have partnered with award-winning mural artist Maxfield Bala. Maxfield has been commissioned by a wide variety of Fortune 500 companies, non-profits and government agencies across the globe.
The Design
The installation features two murals on either side of the CVS entrance, reflecting the bright, energetic lifestyle of the center and surrounding community.
The left mural is inspired by vintage Palo Alto postcards, reading “Greetings from Palo Alto.” Each letter highlights a unique element of the Village and the city—from historic architecture and modern technology to native flowers and agricultural roots.
The right mural celebrates the blend of past, present, and future in our community. It features the Bullock’s Oriole alongside the iconic bells of El Camino Real and Town & Country Village’s original vintage lantern.
The Process
Watch the final design come to life in the video below. The process from start to finish took about four weeks, miles of blue tape, and an entire rainbow of colors.
Hear from the Artist
In this 4-part Instagram series, Maxfield walks us through the painting process from first sketches to finishing touches and shares exclusive insights on the individual design elements. Including some behind the scenes shots of his painting techniques and expert use of materials.
Left Side Mural
Right Side Mural
Mural Design Deep Dive
Left Side Mural
P: The historic T.B Downing House.
A: A computer chip (semiconductor) representing Palo Alto’s history in the development of innovative technologies.
L: A historic photo of the El Palo Alto tree and drawbridge.
O: The Stanford Theater.
A: Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden and flowers native to Palo Alto.
L: Drink and burger representative of food offerings at Town & Country Village.
T: Graduation hat and diploma representative of local colleges and education.
O: Artichoke, plum, and apricot representative of farming in the Valley of the Hearts Delight (now Silicon Valley).
Right Side Mural
The Bullock’s Oriole, a native bird to Palo Alto.
A Historic El Camino Real Bell.
A Monarch Butterfly, native to Palo Alto.
The Vintage Town & Country Village lantern.
A plum and purple California Poppies.
A 1950s Hudson Hornet.
The classic tile-roofed building at Town & Country Village.