The William

Diaz Family

Bill and Jane Diaz, along with their sons Joe and Ben, are leaders among the various artists who call Pontiac home. They have been instrumental in such public art-related projects as "Art on Mainstreet," a program that features art installations in downtown Pontiac. They also all supported the recent Pontiac Summer Bash – Walldogs Festival in June 2009. In 2007, the Diaz family proposed having the Walldogs come to Pontiac to paint murals in the business district. For more than two years, the Diaz family guided the planning of the event and stood as prime examples of the community spirit, artistic abilities, and organizational skills needed to bring such an undertaking to fruition. During the event, Bill, Jane, Joe, and Ben acted as hosts to the army of artists, oversaw the logistical challenges involved in the painting of nineteen murals in only four days, and served as able ambassadors of the city. The new murals all carry a historic theme and serve as visual reminders of Pontiac's political, commercial, and social heritage.

Mayor Robert T. Russell says, "The William Diaz Family is well known and highly respected in Pontiac and, despite the fact that they own and operate a successful sign painting business, Bill, Jane, Joe, and Ben have all found time to make significant voluntary contributions promoting the creation and appreciation of art, history, literacy, and a greater understanding of our cultural inheritance."