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Mural project becomes an oceanic adventure

By Sandy Mouat
CORRESPONDENT

Lafayette Elementary School’s second and fifth graders recently participated in an ocean-theme mural painting project sponsored by the Lafayette Arts and Sciences Foundation. With creativity caps securely in place, these budding marine biologists created an aquatic world of wonder.
        The mural project was devised to complement the Oceans science curriculum for those grades, and was completed under the direction of renowned Oakland artist, George Somers. Somers is a U.C. Berkeley art major who has worked locally in design and art for over thirty-five years. Although mostly in private homes, several of his works hang in the Montclair Presbyterian Church, in Oakland.
        To begin the project, the students created drawings of many different, creative, and some previously undiscovered species of sea life. The over one hundred and fifty drawings were gathered and given to Somers, who created a huge canvas background, and then traced each of the drawings onto it, for the children to paint later. Somers painted the unique canvas background on his inclined driveway, using natural gravity to create the dark areas and swirls of light and bubbles, which represent a very realistic flow and movement of water.
        In groups of approximately ten at a time, the students were first given instructions by Somers, and then found their own drawings carefully taped to the canvas. Underneath each was a tracing to paint. Some followed their original design exactly, while others, inspired by the background and the moment, created whole new designs. The end result is an enticing undersea playground.
        While supporting the second and fifth grade science curriculum, the project also challenged the students to think beyond what is known; to imagine possibilities. The idea sparked enormous creativity because no matter what one draws when it comes to sea life, any color and shape is acceptable.
        Somers was recruited for the project by Lafayette Elementary School’s fifth grade teacher Jeanne McEwan, who commented, "What impressed me as I watched the children paint was how focused they were on the project. I think they had a great sense of pride in seeing their drawings transferred to the large mural. Many students were thrilled to be painting on canvas. The other part of the project which was impressive was the parent participation. It wouldn't have happened without the four or five parent helpers there each of the three days. How wonderful to have this collaborative effort that ends with a visually pleasing mural that will hang at our school site for many years. We are looking forward to the third and fourth graders working with Mr. Somers on a Mt. Diablo mural in May of 2000."
        The other mural project with Somers, will correspond with the third and fourth grade science and social studies curriculum of the flora and fauna of Mount Diablo.
        Working with children was a new experience for Somers, who found it hectic, but rewarding.
        "I was really amazed at the seriousness of these kids," said Somers. "They went to work on their individual fish images as if they were Michelangelos in the Sistine Chapel. One six year old-I won’t name him-actually was in tears and simply stared at his space. All in all, it was a learning experience for me as well. I saw how differently we see solutions to depicting a simple fish shape. I’m looking forward to the companion mural on Contra Costa animals which we tackle in May."

11/10/99 Reprinted with permission. Visit the Contra Costa Times on the web at www.contracostatimes.com.

See photos of the mural project in the Galley.

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