“The Elk”

“The Elk” is more than a mural. It is a reflection of place, history, and community. Unveiled on September 13, 2025 in celebration of Elk Grove’s 25th anniversary, the mural was painted on the historic Bartholomew Barn at Christopher Cellars and stands as one of the city’s first large scale public art installations.

At the center of the mural is a vibrantly painted elk, framed by grapevines and vineyard views, intentionally tying the artwork to the agricultural roots of the property and the land that surrounds it. The unveiling brought together community members, art enthusiasts, and local leaders for an evening of live music and celebration, marking a meaningful step forward in Elk Grove’s growing arts scene.

The mural was painted by local artist Jenn Ponci in collaboration with Wide Open Walls, an organization dedicated to bringing art into public spaces so it can be experienced by everyone. Their mission of art for all has resulted in hundreds of murals across schools and communities throughout the region. The Elk represents Wide Open Walls’ first large scale mural project in Elk Grove and signals a commitment to supporting creativity, culture, and connection within the community.

The barn that now showcases The Elk has served many purposes over the years. It was once home to C.V. Bartholomew and Son, a land leveling business that operated on the property for decades. Over time, the space evolved, serving as a creative workshop for local high school students building homecoming floats and later functioning as storage. Today, the barn represents its next chapter as a place for art, music, wine, and community gatherings, offering a welcoming third space beyond work and home.

The history of the property is closely tied to Beverly Brautigam and Hal Bartholomew, whose family roots in Elk Grove span generations. Hal is the fifth generation of Bartholomews to live in the Elk Grove area and resides in the home his parents built in 1949. In his professional life, Hal is a family law attorney and partner at Bartholomew and Wasznicky, LLP, and the founding president of Collaborative Divorce in California. Beverly, a California native, is a CPA. Both have served as president of the Rotary Club of Sacramento, Hal in 1998 and Beverly in 2009.

Married in 1981, Beverly and Hal raised three children, Marla, Blake, and Bret, all of whom have been involved in the vineyard. As longtime patrons of Boulevard Bistro, they met Christopher Mora through Candice Mora and were immediately impressed by their passion for wine, hospitality, and hands on winemaking. With an established vineyard already on the property, expanding into a full scale winery felt like a natural evolution.

That vision led to the creation of the first winery in the City of Elk Grove, located in the historic building behind their home. The collaboration ultimately culminated in the birth of Christopher Cellars, owned and operated by Candice and Christopher Mora, alongside its partnership with Bartholomew Family Vineyards.

The Elk stands as a visual reminder of this shared chapter. It honors the land, the people who stewarded it across generations, and the community that continues to gather here today.