Ever wondered what the story was behind the beautiful mural on the south side of the school's administration building? Wonder no more!
The prolific art professor and his crew unveiled their latest wall-sized work,"Heritage Mural," this week at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School in eastern Chula Vista.
Following a brief countdown, the giant tarp was pulled and the mural was unveiled to squeals of delight from the student body.
The mural is the first in an expected series of murals entitled "Murals of Hope" by SWC art instructor Raul Espinoza.
This mural was designed to relfect the roots and background of the schools students. Last fall, each of the students was required to do a project about his family. The idea was to help the students become connected with their roots and backgrounds. Espinoza then incorporated some of the ideas frome these projects into the mural's design.
When the time came to start painting the mural, students from the fourth, fifth and sixth grades from Thurgood Marshall were asked to particpate in the project.
Daniel Jaimes, Tyler Edwards, George Master, Joanna Germany, Wesley Garcis, Carla Acosta, Casandra Ferriar, and Megan Johnsons were choosen by their teachers to help with some of the painting.
The Thurgood Marhsall School mural features a large oak tree in its center. Cradled in its branches is a large american flag. Itis roots rach down into a stack fo blocks thay contain the flags of various nations where ancestors of the schools children originated.
"Two blank spaces are left for future cultures to fill," explained fifth grader Joanna Germany, one of several elementary school artists who worked on the mural.
To the right of the tree is a tranquil sunset which smbolizes the past. To the left is a brilliant sunrise representing the future. On either side of the tree, a boat, plane, ship and covered wagon show the many ways that people came to the united States. At the base of the mural are various bowls ad baskets that represent the Kumeyayaay people who lived in the area before the Europeans came.
"The purpose of the mural is to give kids hope." said Esponiza. "In the times when tradgedies like Santana High are increasing, children need all the hope they can get."
Espinoza is donating his time and artistic talent to the project.
Work on the mural began last October 14, 2000, when students started by painting the outline. Espinoza recruited several SWC students from his airbrushing class, art 101and drawing classes to to paint the sky and other details areas of the mural. Espinoza said the project showed SWC students that college is more than just showing up and getting good grades.
It seems fitting that Thurgood Marhsall was the first elementary school to receive a mural from the Murals of Hope project. The school's vision statement begins,"Thurgood Marshall Elementary school celebrates the diversity and uniqueness of every individual."
Credits:
This story was compiled from excerpts taken from two different articles written in local publications at the time of the unveiling of the mural.
Murals of Hope - School Children paint life history
By Kirsten Meyers, Arts Editor
October 24-November 6, 2000
A Great Wall - Thurgood Marshall schoolchildren paint their dreams of unity
By Brian del Carmen, Staff Writer Union Tribune
est. February 2001