Once Upon A Time in the Future: The Art, Architecture, and Politics of Fresno's Fulton Art Mall

Can you name the site of the world’s largest outdoor art museum and outdoor pedestrian walking mall? No? Well, it was Fresno, California. Yes, it “was” Fresno because Fulton Art Mall was destroyed by the City of Fresno in 2016.

Shove over PBS! This ain’t your grandfather’s documentary!

Experience Fresno in 1959! This Twilight Zone-like story explains the politics pushing the decision to destroy Fresno's Fulton Art Mall. Presented with actors in a narrative story, we follow Professor Herbert Jones (played by Fresno’s own, Jaguar Bennett!), a member of the Fulton Mall Steering Committee, as he travels into his future, our present, to the year 2014!

Learn the ugly, shocking, and sometimes unbelievable truth about how the Fulton Art Mall descended into the degraded state it is today. Understand how relentless political forces, starting in the year 1964, stymied the success of the Mall, up to the 2014 administration of Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin, who orchestrated the final death knell for the Fulton Art Mall.

It features the comprehensive history of Fresno’s Fulton Art Mall including artwork, water features, and the electric tram system. The creator of Fulton Art Mall, Garrett Eckbo, the father of Mid 20th Century Modern Landscape Architectural design, is profiled including major achievements and awards.

Rare archival photos and films accompany a detailed description of the manpower, machinery, and materials that went into creating the Fulton Art Mall.

Q&A with Jaguar Bennett and the filmmaker to follow.