Six new pieces of art are expected to decorate the streets of La Quinta as part of the city's Art in Public Places project.

La Quinta resident and mural artist Julie Kirk, who was chosen by the city's Community Service Department in June for the project, is halfway done with painting utility boxes in the La Quinta Cove area.

This is the first time this has been done in La Quinta, said Community Services Director Edie Hylton.

The cost for all six boxes is $9,600.

“These panels were designed for La Quinta to promote popular local activities and the beauty of the area,” Hylton said.

Similar projects have been done in Palm Desert, La Jolla and Laguna Beach, Kirk said.

“I feel La Quinta takes pride in being an art community,” Kirk said. “So I feel this is a way of representing ourselves as that community.”

Plus, she said, “those boxes can be an eyesore.”

Kirk began painting the boxes Oct. 15 and has made an effort to “keep in the flavor of La Quinta.” She hopes that as residents pass by they will be able to recognize the inspiration, which she's taken from the nearby mountains, golf courses and even the city seal.

And it's been fun for her so far — even though it was initially intimidating to work near the city's busy streets.

“I've been getting so many compliments already,” she said. “People roll down their window and say, ‘Thank you' so there's already good response from the community.”

Kirk hopes this project continues in separate phases so other local artists can paint more boxes in the city.

“I'd love to see other artists get a chance to do this,” she said. “It's all about beautifying the city.”