Mural Project Brings Community Together

A building became a canvas for the community last Saturday, February 22nd as families worked on a mural for a building that will soon become El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center. The center will provide many resources for the public, including English as a second language classes, computer classes, as well as health resources such as a nurse and a psychologist on staff. The center, which will open March 28th, connected with Elizabeth Jasso Flores, a California State University San Bernardino graduate, and asked her to design a mural for the south wall of the building. The mural features a multicultural scene and San Bernardino city landmarks such as the Arrowhead Mountains. Resident volunteers began painting at 8 a.m. "It's a great way to nurture and express city pride!" Gigi Hanna, resident and City Clerk for the City of San Bernardino shared. She expressed the possibility of murals being an important part of San Bernardino's future. "Who knows, one day our murals could be another reason for tourists to visit our city." Jasso Flores said she hopes this mural is a start of something bigger. "Hopefully this will begin a new trend for more murals to appear across the city," Flores said. "We also are looking to get an art walk started. The city needs change. In order for things to change we need people who care about the community." "I am so incredibly proud of Elizabeth," shared Sharon Halter-Day, who was Jasso Flores' counselor in high school. "She is intelligent, has so many aspirations and is an inspiration to others." Halter-Day came to help with the painting of the mural, and brought her son, 14-year-old Austin Day. "I am happy to be part of my student's work, and to work with the community," shared Halter-Day. Miriam Nieto, who learned of the mural project through San Bernardino Generation NOW, came to help out, and to find out just how plausible it is for future mural projects to pick up steam in San Bernardino. "I wanted to see how many resources it takes, and how much support a project like this will gather." Nieto's sister, 10-year-old Judith Montenegro expressed her excitement to be part of the project. "It's my first time here, but I like to paint at home now and then," she said. Tony Barber, an artist who learned how to blow glass at San Bernardino Valley College, also joined the community for the mural painting. "As a commuter I drive up this street to my studio, so I will see the mural everyday." He said. "Artists need to support each other. Since I am a broke artist myself, I figured that the best way I could support is to help paint," Barber joked.