For the third consecutive year, Downtown SLO is excited to announce the return of the popular May Flower Initiative Community Art Project. Launched in 2020 during the first shutdown due to COVID-19, the May Flower Initiative brings artists, businesses, and property owners together to brighten downtown San Luis Obispo with beautiful and colorful floral window paintings. This year, the project returns with an exciting new activation, the pop-up roller rink Skate Mission Plaza and a fun flower-themed family scavenger hunt throughout the month of May.
To coincide with the nostalgia of the roller rink, the theme of the May Flower Initiative 2022 is Flower Power: Artists were invited to interpret this theme in their window paintings.
Window Blossoms
Downtown SLO has connected 50+ storefronts with local artists, who have collaborated to create beautiful floral artwork in their windows for the public to admire. A map and list of all the participating businesses and artists will be available in Mission Plaza, as well as at DowntownSLO.com/MayFlower.
Throughout the month of May, visitors are encouraged to stroll downtown and follow the map on a trail of beautiful blossoms. You may find some other floral decorations along the streets, too!
Downtown SLO would like to thank all the businesses and property owners for their enthusiasm surrounding this project. Special thanks to the San Luis Obispo County Arts Council for their assistance in the call for artists. Downtown SLO is exceedingly grateful to the 40+ local artists who have dedicated their time, talent, and creativity to this initiative, as well as Art Central for supporting this program.
Sweet Pea Scavenger Hunt with the San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum
Flowering sweet peas are sprouting all around downtown! Families can pick up a clue card in Mission Plaza, leading them to five different nearby storefronts that have incorporated sweet peas into their window displays. At the final location, children can show their finished clue card and receive a kit to grow their very own sweet peas, supplies and instructions for an adorable craft, and other sweet pea-themed goodies!
The scavenger hunt ties in with the Museum’s month of sweet pea programming; participate any time during the month of May!
Skate Mission Plaza Monday, May 6 – Sunday, May 22, 2022
Downtown SLO, in partnership with the City of San Luis Obispo, is bringing a groovy new pop-up installation to Mission Plaza this May. Visitors are encouraged to lace up their skates and enjoy an outdoor roller rink as part of Skate Mission Plaza, presented by Guaranteed Rate. Skaters can enjoy music, a disco ball, and flower-power-inspired decorations all in the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo. Skates will be available for rental.
This is a ticketed event; tickets and waivers will be required for entry. Tickets must be purchased online; no walk-up admission will be accepted. Learn more and purchase tickets at DowntownSLO.com/Skate.