BE KIND TO BEES: The unveiling at the Faire in May of the mural painted on the Community Room at Deleo Park. Pictured, from left, Joan Tyler, El Cerrito Community Library; artist Kathryn Duncan; Tracy Davis, mural coordinator, and Nancy Reiter, Home Gardens Community Library.
Murals are appearing on public buildings in Temescal Valley, thanks to the We Are Temescal Valley Beautification Committee and a group of dedicated volunteers.
Long-time Cal Meadows resident Gena Osborne for many years has wanted murals painted throughout Temescal Valley. With the community’s Bicentennial birthday in progress, the Beautification Committee thought now would be the opportune time.
It was fitting that the first mural was painted on the front wall of Temescal Valley Elementary School. It was Gena, with other members of the early Temescal Heritage Foundation, that proved to the CNUSD Board of Trustees the name chosen by the district (Temescal Canyon), was geographically incorrect.
Working under the direction of committee member Tracy Davis and artist Kathryn Duncan, the mural was painted by volunteers Priscilla Zarata, Shruthi Rajamani and Melanie Johnson.
The next mural came about as a partnership with El Cerrito Community Library and a Books to Action grant that paid for books to spread word about the importance of bees and other pollinators.
Volunteers working on this mural, painted on the wall of the Community Room at Deleo Regional Sports Park, were Tracy, Kathryn and Shruthi, joined by Krista Brantsma, Rob Mucha, Jennifer Runnings and Bob Hafner.
Hopefully, next in line will be murals at Todd Academy and Luiseno School. Anyone interested in the mural program should contact Tracy: tracycyto@yahoo.com.
