Verde Mural "Rock Cycle" in drawing stage

Verde student Cecilia Rodriguez paintson mural

Environmental Mural Series
at Verde Elementary School in Richmond, CA

Verde Mural "Rock Cycle" in progress

Verde students Eric and Cecilia paint on mural

Richmond, CA – During the 2005-06 school year, the students of Verde Elemetary School participated in the creation of a series of collaborative murals with local artist Joaquin Alejandro Newman. These murals illustrated the natural environmental cycles and incorporated images from ancient meso-American cultures as visual narrators of these cycles. These colorful and inspirational murals were created throughout the school year, as the students met twice a week with artist Mr. Newman in an after-school setting.
After-school classes began with historical lessons of indigenous Meso-American pictographic literature in preparation for the creation of the murals. The classes continued with basics on mural production such as sketching, composition design, scale drawings, color and progressed to more advanced techniques like color mixing, large scale painting, and cooperation through collaboration.
These murals, which were co-created with Mr. Newman, guest artists and the children of Verde, sought to bridge an indigenous awareness and nurturing of the environment, as well as an intellectual understanding of our Earth’s natural cycles. Meso-American characters, such as Chalchihuitlicue, Aztec Goddess of Running Water, and Tlaloc, Aztec God of Rain, served as indigenous narrators for illustrations of environmental cycles, such as the hydrologic cycle. These ancient figures introduced themed walls which will immersed children in a learning environment, conveying the value of native and meso-American literature and knowledge, as well as teaching the scientific building blocks of our world.
While being guided through the lessons, students had retention of the California Content Standards supported which dictate that students know the influence that the ocean has on the weather and the role that the water cycle plays in weather patterns. This project took place in an after-school setting, engaging children during time when many youth are at risk.
In an effort to support the Richmond’s youth through a focus on literacy, cooperation, self-empowerment, these goals were accomplished while conveying the essential nature of reclaiming indigenous knowledge and stories of Water, Earth, Fire (sun), and Wind.
Conceived and executed by Joaquin Alejandro Newman, with administrative assistance of project coordinators Cynthia Barron, Laurie Roberts, and principal Rosemary Mauldin, this project was supported by the West Contra Costa Unified School District with a generous contribution from the National Association for Latino Arts and Culture (NALAC).

This project made possible with a generous contribution from the National Association for Latino Arts and Culture (NALAC). For more info: www.nalac.org