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The Californian
Mural celebrates author's life
and art
A big honor for Steinbeck
By Lys Mendez
The Californian
August 20, 2002 - Visual tributes to
Salinas' native son are visible around town, but none has been so grand
as the mural unveiled Monday on The Californian building.
"The Life and Times of John Steinbeck"
is the city's largest mural, created by 12 Monterey County teenagers
as part of the One Voice Arts and Leadership Program.
The midday ceremony in the building's
parking lot on the 100 block of West Alisal Street included representatives
from the newspaper, the city of Salinas and staff members speaking on
behalf of elected officials. About 150 people attended.
The mural is 48 by 16 feet, painted on
26 panels that were nailed onto the building's north-facing wall in
time for Monday's unveiling. The huge artwork will greet motorists driving
down Alisal Street and was strategically placed in the heart of Salinas,
said Joseph Werner, executive director of the county Workforce Investment
Board, which organizes the mural projects.
"The whole project was a learning experience, a melting pot of
creativity," Werner said, referring to artists from Greece and
Macedonia who helped direct the teens' work. "It is something John
Steinbeck would be proud of."
The mural depicts Steinbeck's life in
chronological order, with images painted counter-clockwise around a
rendering of the author leaning on a stack of his books, said Art Siordia,
who drew the original rendering for the mural.
Siordia of Salinas is a sculptor and muralist
for the One Voice project.
Tom Joad quote
A reproduction of Steinbeck's signature
is on top of the mural, and a pivotal quote from the character Tom Joad
in "The Grapes of Wrath" is written on the left side. Characters
from his books and images from his works complete the tableau.
"I wanted to show what a hometown
boy can accomplish," Siordia said. "It is a way to celebrate
Salinas and our native son."
After receiving the mural assignment,
he said, he did extensive research on Steinbeck's life, learning how
his experiences in Salinas shaped his literary works.
"Steinbeck had a pony ...hence the
name of the 'Red Pony' book," said Siordia, explaining the image
of Steinbeck on a horse, the images of his track team and his house
on Central Avenue.
"I found a picture of him with the
Salinas High track team. All these things happen in order, with him
being awarded the Nobel Prize last."
'You can do it'
The project gave the 12 youths a summer
job for seven weeks, where along with three mentors, they put together
the murals from 26 panels that were later connected.
Many of the participants had no previous
artistic or painting experience, said Blago Stojanovski, a Macedonian
artist who supervised the work.
Ten percent of the time was spent in team-building
activities, which gave the youngsters an opportunity to realize their
potential, Stojanovski said.
"Most of the teens were trying to
fund leadership," he said. "Four kids have now decided they
are going on to college, and two are considering the Peace Corps."
Randy Lovato, 19, said the effort helped
him reach his decision to finish high school and join either the Army
or Air Force.
"They would always tell us, 'You
can do it,' and that we could use these skills for other jobs,"
said Lovato, a senior at Alisal High School.
"It is nice to see that someone wants
us to do something good with our lives."
What it means:
The One Voice Arts and Leadership Program, sponsored by the Monterey
County Workforce Investment Board, employs economically disadvantaged
young people to design works of art throughout the county.
For the pictures that goes with this
article click here.
Take
a LOOK at the mural this article is referring to.
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