Ten students involved in the Sierra Arts Foundation’s Public Art Works project completed a mural on the construction barriers lining the Riverwalk on South Virginia Street. Local artists Pan Pantoja and Ray Valdez led the Public Art Works apprentices over two days on a Pantoja design that provides a unified, river themed, and graffiti proof look for the view shed of Wild River Grille and Sierra Arts Foundation. This is the first mural unveiled by the Public Art Works project.
Over the next two weeks, Public Art Works will be completing four other murals at the Pumas Tennis Courts (June 23, 24, 25, 2-5 p.m.), Rainshadow High School (June 24, 25, 12 p.m.-dark), Innovations High School (June 23, 24, 5 p.m.-dark) and Kids Kottage (June 30, July 1, 2, 1-5 p.m.). Two benches will also be painted and installed at Virginia Lake Park under the direction of local artists Eddie Guth and Kristin Moffitt.
The Public Art Works project employs and teaches at-risk youth in art techniques, job skills, and graffiti abatement. By training students in everything from light theory to OSHA safety and providing them with a $200 stipend, Public Art Works aims to create local opportunities for emerging artists.
