Mariposa Gateways

As part of Caltrans’ Clean California Initiative, ATLAS Lab led the design and development of a series of new gateway features for Mariposa County, with a focus on beautifying and enhancing public spaces in underserved communities. Building on ATLAS Lab’s previous work leading the County’s Creative Placemaking Strategy (2020), the gateway project seeks to celebrate the unique identity of Mariposa while strengthening the connection between people, culture, and place. The design features gateway elements at the southern entrances to town, along with two new community murals, all intended to welcome visitors and reflect the region’s rich natural and cultural heritage. The design process was deeply community-driven, engaging residents and stakeholders through a series of workshops and feedback sessions. Concepts draw inspiration from the native plants and wildlife of the region, as well as the lifeways and traditions of the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation—the original stewards of the land.

In partnership with the Mariposa County Arts Council, Mariposa County Planning Department, Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation, and Inkwell, the Mariposa Gateways project is a model for how infrastructure can support creative placemaking, community storytelling, and inclusive design—all while contributing to the broader goals of beautification, equity, and environmental awareness across California.