FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A new student-created mural is now on display in the dining area near Schat's Café in the Lowery Student Center at Mendocino College. Measuring 8 feet high by 16 feet wide, the mural was created by the first cohort of students enrolled in Mendocino College's new Mural Painting course (ART 224).
Co-taught by Art faculty members Lisa Rosenstreich and Jazzminh Moore, the course expands Mendocino College's painting curriculum by introducing students to mural painting through both historical study and hands-on practice. Students examine how murals have been used around the world to communicate ideas, celebrate communities, and shape public spaces while learning the collaborative process of designing and creating public artwork. The addition of the course reflects the Art Department's commitment to providing students with opportunities to create artwork that engages directly with the campus and broader community.
The project began with a guiding question: What does Mendocino College mean to you, and how would you express that visually? Students Kelly Foutz, Angel Garcia, Patience Gruey, Jessica Hernandez, Thalia Luciani, Sarah Reith, and Brigid Roche collaborated throughout the development of the mural, with guidance and technical support from instructors Lisa Rosenstreich and Jazzminh Moore.
Through discussion, sketching, and collaborative design, several themes emerged. Students described Mendocino College as a place of encouragement, creative inspiration, personal growth, environmental stewardship, and a deep connection to the surrounding landscape.
These themes are woven throughout a composition that begins with a student reading a book about fish, which transforms into an imagined journey following salmon across the length of the panels. As the mural unfolds, the imagery becomes increasingly dreamlike and symbolic, reflecting the transformative power of education, imagination, and creative exploration.
Campus landmarks are interwoven with symbols of learning, support, music, art, and community. Elements from the local environment—including water, salmon, a bear, California poppies, native wildlife, and the surrounding landscape—reflect the college's commitment to sustainability and its connection to place.
As the inaugural mural created through Mendocino College's new Mural Painting course, the project celebrates student creativity, collaboration, and the power of public art. It now serves as a welcoming visual landmark for students, employees, and visitors who pass through the Student Center each day.
To learn more about Mendocino College's Art Department and explore classes offered this fall, visit www.mendocino.edu.
