Monday, February 05, 2007

HISTORY ON A WALL


Due to declining enrollment at Sanchez Elementary School in Pacifica, California, its buildings were closed and the City Fathers were wondering what to do with the space. A local coalition of artists and performers did all the work to transform the unused school into the Sanchez Art and Performing Center.

Artist Andrew Leone designed this mural and the painting was done by volunteer artists. The Center belongs to the City and was dedicated in 1998.
The pictures depict the very large acreage which was the ranch belonging to the Sanchez family. Before the Sanchezs arrived the Ohlone Indians lived here and were experts in basket weaving and working with wood and reeds. Those activities are shown on the left half of the mural. the right side shows how the area was used for many years as a school and a sports facility.
TO GET A CLOSER VIEW CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT.
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23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lovely artwork...great colors!

Anonymous said...

Nice shot. India, specially in Bombay, if we see a piece of land, we just encroach it.

Kekiinani said...

WOW what a beautiful mural. Nice capture with the hills and trees in the background :)

John Roberts said...

Very nice shot of a beautiful mural. It amazes me how anybody can paint something that large and maintain perspective and proportion. I love murals.

Memories Catcher said...

Beautiful mural.Great light and colors.Well done!

Olivier said...

tres belle peinture murale. j'aime bien la main du peintre, c'est une tres bonne idee de l'artiste


very beautiful mural. I like the hand of the painter, it is a very good idea of the artist

Anonymous said...

Great use for the space. Beautiful artwork mural.

AphotoAday said...

oh how interesting... I don't get down that way as often as I used to, but I'll have to locate that place...

Just Me said...

Such a lovely natural frame for this mural. I'm glad they were able to make this old school into something new and useful again!

Anonymous said...

Sad about the old school, but I can't think of a better use for the old space than an arts and performing center. Great mural!

Shammickite said...

Lovely colourful shot!
What a wonderful use for an unwanted school building. In my small town, the High School has outgrown it's home, and a new school will be ready by September 2007. And we desperately need an Arts and Culture Centre. Town Council have been discussing it for ten years! It would be great if the old school building could be purchased, but Town Council doesn't have a lot of forward thinkers, and I can see the old school sitting empty until it falls down.

Paula said...

What a nice tribute. Thanks for the history, as well.

Unknown said...

I like when people make a good use of empty buildings. This one is very good idea.

Anna said...

Wonderful...I am so glad that they did that! It looks beautiful.

Michael P. Randazzo said...

That is a special image. I am impressed with the talent they showed painting such a wonderful image to celebrate culture.

Annie said...

What a wonderful storyboard this is.

Dsole said...

wow,. this is a really beautiful art work!!

Ben Nakagawa said...

Great rescue story for old school facility.

Kimberley said...

VERY profound.. The shot is great I love the mountians behind!

Lucy said...

Very cool shot, Photowannabe! It's cool how you find little pieces of character and history throughout the city and share them with us.

Libbys Blog said...

It is even better when the facilities are actually used! I know of an Arts Centre relatively close that struggles to stay open!!

Meg said...

I love the wall, but man, I LOVE the trees behind it.

Chica, Cienna, and Cali said...

i love murals and beautifully done one are always welcome..this one is telling a story .......and don't you love the woven objects by Indians??? we have this craft shop here selling their prayer bowls etc .......they can create magic out of weaving :)