Illicit mural removed

2011-02-02T04:22:18Z

The smoke has cleared in the skirmish over a guerrilla-art mural painted next door to Sugar Plum Vegan Bakery in Midtown.

A graffiti-removal service hired by the Midtown Business Association painted over or "buffed out" the roughly 20-foot-tall mural of a three-headed blue and green man a little more than a week ago.

Sacramento artist Shaun Turner had painted the outdoor mural Nov. 13 as a Second Saturday Art Walk event to help draw attention to the bakery, which opened at 2315 K St. in March.

Trouble was, the mural was technically painted on the wall of a small commercial building next door at 2309 K St.

The bakery’s manager and chef, Marshall Massa, and Sugar Plum owner Melissa Sugar had given Turner the go-ahead to paint the mural on the wall, which forms sort of a backdrop to their front courtyard. But they didn't have permission from the owner of the building next door.

"It was 100 percent guerrilla style," Massa said Tuesday. "We knew it would obviously raise some eyebrows and ruffle some feathers."

Those behind Sugar Plum are fans of Turner's work. Two more of his murals hang on drop cloths inside the bakery and in a back courtyard. They paid him to paint the mural that was removed and a mural containing the Sugar Plum name in back that's served as their business logo on menus, business cards and packaging. Another artist painted the lettering.

But the blue and green man – which looked like a cross between a futuristic industrial style and folk art – didn't appeal to the building's owner, Bob Proctor.

Proctor has owned the building for 11 years. His business, Statewide Information Systems, operates in a second-floor office. Other businesses also lease space there.

He was out of town when the mural was painted on the building. He wasn't asked for permission and wouldn't have given it if he was, he said.

"I'd a said ‘no,’ " Proctor said. "They're promoting their business. And quite frankly, I love this little building."

He didn’t consider pressing charges. Businesses like his pay property-based improvement district assessment fees to the city for services such as graffiti removal, administered there by the MBA. But Proctor had to pay a little extra – about $75 – to match the brown exterior, according to Proctor and the MBA.

Sugar and Massa have brought in music, art and plants to help create character in the space. Sugar tried to persuade Proctor to keep the mural, which stayed up longer than expected.

"We're just trying to keep it as vibrant as possible," Massa said.

Turner did a nice job on the mural, said James Cooper, executive director of the nonprofit Sacramento Education Events for Art Midtown Murals Project.

“I was saddened to hear that there were some discrepancies in the process of getting it up,” he said.

Turner, 29, said the mural was one of the best he’s done in Sacramento, although it was only 60 percent complete. He described the style as free-form and stream-of-consciousness – something he’s been developing over the last six months.

“I was bummed that it got painted over. But I understand,” he said. “It just wasn't doing it for him.”

Suzanne Hurt is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @SuzanneHurt.

Sugar Plum Vegan Opens

2010-04-01T03:55:36Z

The organic purist, eco-conscious, thigh-conscious and dietary trendy may rejoice that Rick's Dessert Diner on K Street has a new neighbor with a new selection of baked treats.

Sugar Plum Vegan, a vegan and wholesale bakery that offers fair-trade coffee and organic ingredients, has opened its doors for service.

The cozy spot, situated below what was True Love Coffeehouse, has just enough capacity to hold five small tables and a very friendly staff, unfazed by transition issues with the ATM and continuous stream of customers placing to-go orders.

"We want those that are hard core vegans as well as those who are just curious to feel comfortable here" said Owner and Chef, Melissa Sugar.

The menu, which is available online, boasts a host of creative 100 percent vegan entrees, employing soy and garbanzo-based alternatives in generous, heaping portions.

The nachos come with black beans, meatless chicken, dairy and gluten-free cheese, vegan sour cream and guacamole. The Midtown Club sandwich tastes like a genuine BLT with crispy tempeh and veganaise in place of the "B."

"We are dedicated to bringing the public a cruelty free and loving experience" said Sugar. "We offer items that are for the die hard vegans that focus on whole foods as well as the transitional foods, like Gardien faux meat and Daiya gluten and soy-free cheese".

While the menu is small, it's also reasonably priced, with house-made burgers (garbanzo and veggie-based) ranging from $7 to $11.

Baked goods, Sugar Plum's specialty, are not only delicious but also beautiful. Their creators seem to have found a way to circumvent the droopy look that vegan treats often wear to remind you that what you're eating is a bastardized health alternative.

Sugar Plum also offers custom-designed cakes, seasonally appropriate pies and wedding/party catering menus.

Raw foodists and gluten-free eaters will find something to enjoy here, as will people who are into sunny patios, free WI-FI and don't mind smelling like incense.

Sugar intends to open the back patio for performances by live music and local poets.

Stay tuned to the eatery's website, as it is rumored that a weekend All-You-Can-Eat Brunch Buffet is in the works.

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Illicit mural removed

Sugar Plum Vegan Opens