A team of 30 students from all grade levels in Scotts Valley school are spending portions of their summer break working on a bright new mural at Siltanen Park.
The team was assembled by local principals working with the city Parks and Recreation Department and the city Arts Commission, to assist local artist Kim Fleming, who designed the project.
Fleming, who teaches at Mountain Elementary School, drew the design, which aims to incorporate Scotts Valley history, the mascots of the Scotts Valley School District’s four schools, local former landmarks like Santa’s Village and the Tree Circus, restored landmarks like the Scott House, plus the flora and fauna of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
The images are broad, bold and colorful, easy to see from the bleachers and basepaths of the Little League and softball fields in the wall’s shadow.
The project is massive, 165 feet long and seven feet high, and bright colors cover every inch of the surface.
Val Rebhahn, chair of the Arts Commission, visited the site last week, with schools superintendent Tanya Krause, and Kristin Ard, city Parks and Recreation Director.
They said the paint for the project was donated by Scarborough Lumber, and that some city and some parks money also helped.
The new mural covers a mural painted on the wall 15 years ago, that had gotten bleached and weathered.
Fleming, who has worked on similar murals in Southern California, said the painted murals usually last 15-20 years.
Krause said Siltanen Park is often used by classes at nearby Vine Hill Elementary, both the athletic fields and the large outdoor ampitheater.
Fleming first drew her design on a long strip of paper, then transferred it the wall, using chalk on freshly painted blue background.
The students use sponges and brushes, applying multiple coats, to enable their mascots and the scenery and characters to come to life.
Nine students were working on June 23, when the school and city officials visited.
