In fall of 2015 Eduardo Pineda's ENGAGE: Mural Arts class created seven murals for the intersection of Highway 16 and Woodland Ave in Esparto, CA., in a collaboration between: the town of Esparto, Capay Valley organizations, and the class, as part of a larger effort to rejuvenate Esparto by harnessing student creativity.
The mural panels were painted on California College of the Arts’ Oakland campus, in consultation with Esparto community and tribal members. The class exchanged ideas with members of New Season Community Development Corp. and Yoche Dehe Wintun Academy to design the seven murals.
In the mural panels, students addressed themes of the land and histories of Esparto and the Capay Valley, indigenous presence, and rebirth and growth cycles. Plants, seeds, animals, insects, and people engaged in traditional activities as well as working the land reflect the vitality of life in the region. Valley produce represents the rebirth of the region through the organic farming industry that supplies the greater Bay Area fresh food markets. Students write “leokas” which means “good” in the Patwin language and reference Patwin creation stories and traditional basketry to honor the historical inhabitants of the valley and the current role of Patwins in the revitalization of Esparto and Capay Valley. Students also highlighted the Latino contribution to the agricultural industry, and prominent figures of 19th century Guinda – African American residents Green Berry Logan, Basil Campbell and Mary Francis Gaither – to reflect the significant multicultural history of the valley. Together the seven murals represent the vibrant community of Esparto and Capay Valley.
Type
image
Format
painting mural painting born digital 7 murals on wood; 8 x 4 ft. each image/jpeg
Pineda, Eduardo Barragan, Oscar Chan, Ryan Easter, Allison Fazzari, Makaylah Filler, Jason Graham, Marisa Harmer, Anthony Hature, Keith Huang, Yingyue Jean-Baptiste, Frantz Lam, Wik to Ricco Powers, Tori Purviance, Edgar Stone, Jennifer Thompson, Samantha Valdez, Ana
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