In 1980 John Pugh obtained his first major commission from California State University, Chico in northern California where he received his degree in art. Taylor Hall was to bring him international recognition and move John's career into high gear. He realized quickly that his Trompe l'oeil style art really connected with artist and non-artist alike. Not just because it was fun to look at with its illusion of hyper-realism that would always prompted any first-time viewer to do a second take, but because great stories could be told by using this style that few artist at this time were employing, especially in a public art context.
"My intention was not only to use the Doric column, a symbol that is easily recognized in our culture, to represent the classic architecture of the Greeks, but to tap into the concept of the greek academe as the essence of our western educational system"
This Mural has been a landmark in downtown Chico and has set a creative tenor for the community and its visitors.
