News

Friday, July 10, 2009

Santa Barbara High School Mural Will Soon Be Completed

Photo (front row, left to right): Director Manuel Unzueta, Cyntia Cisneros, Janeth Leon, Jenny Aguilar, Karinna Hernandez. (Left to right, back row) Erika Terrazas, Yesenia Ordaz, Alexandra Real, Alberto Magana, Tomas Soto Ramirez, Anayeli Ceja Valencia.

When Santa Barbara High School begins the 2009-10 school year, students will see a soon-to-be completed mural at the entrance to the school library. Under the tutelage of local artist Manuel Unzueta, students from the Cesar Chavez Leadership Institute are completing a vibrant work of art. The project began in May and is expected to be finished by the end of this summer.

“Pete Relis was a driving force in this project,” said Mr. Unzueta. With Pete Relis’ determination, a donation for supplies provided by Fred and Andrea Rifkin, and the commitment of some 20 Cesar Chavez Leadership Institute students, Mr. Unzueta’s student team is replacing a deteriorating mural painted on that same wall more than three decades ago.

According to Mr. Unzueta, the mural was designed around three themes, each having its own panel: right panel celebrates multiculturalism; center panel has an educational message for Chicano students; and the left panel is a homage to the United States.

Mr. Unzueta envisions the site as the Unity Corner, with a grassy area below the mural and benches for students. He noted, “Murals can educate, they can beautify, and they can invite students to engage in dialogue.”

Manuel Unzueta has been creating artwork that is heavily rooted in Mexican and Southwest influences since the late 1960s. He received a Master of Fine Arts degree in painting from UC Santa Barbara.