A mural titled “Inheritance” was unveiled Nov. 30 on the side of The Art Beat in Campbell.

It was painted by Sarah Joy Cabana, with the help of volunteers, as part of a beautification grant program launched by the city.

“I hope that it is the beginning of something more,” Cabana said.

Erinn Turi, The Art Beat owner, and Cabana’s daughters also assisted over the three weeks it took to complete.

Cabana said her inspiration came from Campbell’s agrarian past, a children’s book, early cannery labels and Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night.”

“I was thinking the past to the present. The night represents the past, and the sunrise represents the present and future. Hot air balloons are just a symbol of mine that I use a lot,” she said, adding that the vanishing fields in the mural add a sense of depth to the piece. The flowers are based on apple blossoms.

The city’s pilot beautification grant program provides funding for projects focused on beautifying the city and its neighborhoods. The program was created by the city’s civic improvement commission, according to Deputy City Manager Al Bito.

The program grants money to applicants on two levels. A level one grant ranges from $500 to $1,500. Level two grants are from $1,501 to $5,000.

Grants are awarded as reimbursement for completed work, and after project approval and final costs and physical inspection.

Projects must support community goals, be visible from a public area, be within the city limits and enhance a neighborhood or small business, according to the city.

Bito said of the five applications submitted during the summer, two were from neighborhood groups and three from businesses.

On Dec. 1, another project was introduced to the community. The Downtown Campbell Neighborhood Association applied for a grant to build a historic pillar on the corner of Alice Avenue and South First Street.

The modest brick pillar has a plaque explaining the history of Alice Avenue, where a portion of the George E. Hyde fruit drying and canning company once stood.

Bito said the bricks were found stashed in an attic, and they came from a house that toppled during the 1906 earthquake.

The City Council has approved $25,000 to fund the beautification program. Thus far, $14,382 worth of grant requests have been approved in its first year.