The Watsonville Public Library had wanted to install a large aquarium to liven up the facility, but the funding just wasn’t there. They went for the next best thing — a vivid mural painted by a talented artist, Arturo Thomae.
The center’s principal librarian for public services, Heather Geddes, said that the mural has been very popular since its installation.
“The kids have loved it,” Geddes said. “They go in there, and look at it and point, ‘There’s a starfish, there’s a shark.’ It’s shown me how knowledgeable kids are about ocean life.”
The artist, Thomae, said that all of the creatures featured in the mural — including a dolphin, turtle, and jellyfish — are found in a nearby body of water. He hopes that his work of art serves as a learning tool for the children who enjoy it.
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/watsonville/ci_22750625/sea-comes-life-watsonville-library-mural.
“Even the tiniest ones know the octopus,” he said.
Murals are a vibrant and effective way to start conversations, spark interest, and engage with a community. Enroll today in a class on painting murals to learn the skills necessary to reach out to your desired audience. Classes will focus on a variety of methods and techniques you need to create a beautiful and informative mural, including information on color theory, tips on composition, and practical tutorials on executing your vision for a wall that can be used instead as a blank canvas.