With the help of teachers and community volunteers, the students at Amesti Elementary School created a three-dimensional mural, “My Community, Our Community.”
Luna: Arts Council Santa Cruz County
This mural, three years in the making, was unveiled Dec. 7, becoming a permanent part of the Amesti elementary campus in Watsonville.
“Every kid made their own house,” said project leader and teacher Lucia Herrera, “and a special group of kids worked on community venues like stores, the hospital, and the library.”
She added, “The kids are very proud and love to show it off.”
Elizabeth: San Patricio Church
The mural featuring buildings made of clay gave the students an opportunity to work with materials they’ve never used before and resulted in a work of art that will last for years to come.
“During this process, the students were asked to become aware of what community meant,” Herrera said.“They saw how individual elements form a common whole and appreciated everything that belonging to a community brings to us.”
They worked with local stores, churches and the fire department to learn what constitutes a community and how it operates.
Students first created drawings of their homes and community buildings, followed by cardboard mockups before crafting their final pieces of ceramic clay.
The installation required putting all the pieces together with help from teachers and community volunteers.
“The individual ceramic pieces were mounted onto a cement relief painted with acrylic paint in the form of a great city, representing our community,” Herrera said.
Top Photo — Alexander: Watsonville Community Hospital
Alexander: Pajaro CDC
Lucero: Santa Cruz Schools Plus Foundation
Alexandra: Santa Cruz County Office of Education
Saul: Watsonville Fire Department
Sebastian: PVUSD
Kathy
Carmen: Amesti Elementary