Yeshe Jackson Paints Mural Honoring Albert the White Peacock
Artist Yeshe Jackson has put initial brush strokes on a mural honoring Albert the white peacock of Boulder Creek. The artwork in progress in Historic Downtown Boulder Creek is intended to symbolize mountain resilience through beauty and community spirit. The project will be completed this spring.
By Julie Horner
Albert’s legacy is larger than life. Work has begun on a magnificent mural designed by local artist Yeshe Jackson depicting Albert the white peacock of Boulder Creek. The legendary bird lived wild roaming downtown neighborhoods for two decades until he was taken by a mountain lion in November, 2024. A beloved symbol of resilience, especially for the Santa Cruz Mountains community after the CZU fire in 2020, residents rallied to gather funds for a way to immortalize Albert as a sign of beauty and strength for generations to come. Boulder Creek’s Kevin Foster and the Boulder Creek Business Association managed campaigns to get the project rolling, and in late February, 2025, Yeshe raised his scaffolding, primed his palette, and started putting brush strokes on the wall. The mural will cover the entire south side of the Forest Corners building at 13090 Highway 9 in Boulder Creek. Yeshe said, “I’m making progress on the new mural! It’s been hot up there on top of the scaffolding, but other than that I’m very much enjoying the process.”
Yeshe has completed several murals in the San Lorenzo Valley, including the bright “Welcome to Boulder Creek” mural on the side of Johnnie’s Market at the junction of Highway 9 and Big Basin Highway, and several murals at area schools and the Boulder Creek Recreation Center featuring local wildlife in forest settings. Yeshe’s commission will show Albert in full regalia standing strong among the redwoods in a beam of sunlight.
“I am very happy to be working on this mural for my home town of Boulder Creek,” he said. “I never got the chance to meet Albert, but I have always loved wildlife of all kinds. He obviously meant a lot to our community, so I feel an obligation to represent him in the best way possible. This is my largest mural so far, at over 1200 square feet. That challenge really excites me! And it’s always a unique experience to create art in public. The comments, questions, and horn honks while I work all add to the experience. I’m hoping that I can finish this mural in about a month, though it’s hard to say exactly how long it will take. My goal with this mural, as it is with every one that I’ve painted, is to make it the best that I’ve ever done. I want to sincerely thank Kevin Foster for organizing and fundraising for this project. And thanks to everyone in town who donated funds for it! My thanks also to the Boulder Creek Business Association for their contribution. I look forward to completing this project and can’t wait to share the finished art with my community!”
A community gathering will be held to unveil the art work and celebrate Albert’s legacy. Donations to the mural funds are ongoing. Visit gofundme.com/keep-alberts-memory-alive-with-a-mural . The BCBA has purchased a white peacock statue to display in various shops and restaurants in Boulder Creek to call attention to the fundraising effort. To donate to the BCBA fund, visit bcba.net.
Photos contributed by Yeshe Jackson. Featured image by Michal Lauren. Visit Yeshe’s website: Yeshe Jackson Fine Art
Additional stories about Albert in the San Lorenzo Valley Post:
Albert’s Ashes: A Peacock’s Tail
Albert the White Peacock of Boulder Creek
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Julie Horner is Co-Founder and Editor for the San Lorenzo Valley Post. Julie lives and works in Boulder Creek and is an active participant in the county's vibrant music scene. She loves the outdoors and is the go-to expert on Santa Cruz Mountains hiking trails.
