Art Students’ Mural Given to Community

Even though it was a dreary, gray Thursday, there were bursts of blue, green and gold at the Reseda Park and Recreation Center, where a mural was dedicated to the community.

Presented by Los Angeles City Councilwoman Laura Chick before an audience of 80, the mural was created by about 50 Reseda High School art students.

Entitled “Dream City Fish,” the mural, which covers three walls near the center’s pool, is a gift to the community of Reseda.

“This painting makes the community better for kids, more colorful,” Chick observed from a vantage point near a mural segment showing two fish swimming near a basketball.

Chick and representatives of the high school’s art department and the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department wanted to create something colorful that also showcased the center’s activities.

Karen Nichols, a Reseda High School art teacher, said the project taught students about teamwork and art design, and gave them a sense of accomplishment.

The mural was funded by a $5,000 grant from the Cultural Affairs Department. A local merchant donated paint supplies.

This is the third section of the mural completed. Other sections were completed in 1996 and ’97. A total of 600 hours went into the project.

“It took forever to finish,” art student Dalia Zabala, 18, said.