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Schools

Third-Graders Unveil Mural at DeLaveaga Elementary

Local artist Susana Arias donates time and materials for a mural at her neighborhood school.

Santa Cruz artist Susana Arias knows how to do it big.

On Thursday, her gigantic mural, “Tropical Rainforest,” was unveiled at DeLaveaga Elementary School. Students, parents, teachers and administrators celebrated the “unveiling” of the mural by singing “Zippity Do-Dah” and honoring Arias with flowers and hugs.

Last summer, Arias read an article in the Santa Cruz Sentinel that upset her. She saw that the climate at her neighborhood school was not good. The article caused uproar throughout the Del Laveaga community. Not one to sit back and do nothing, she took action. She offered to teach art, gather art supplies or recruit local fellow artists to volunteer their time.

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Little did Arias know what she was getting herself into.

This 2010-11 school year, she has volunteered her time and supplies to three third-grade classes at DeLaveaga. Slowly the mural project came to fruition as the mesmerized students learned more and more about clay and paint.

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The month of May was spent prepping the wall behind the school library, painting huge, life-sized plants and flowers as well as forming little clay birds. The students worked in small groups, whole class groups and one-on-one with Arias, before, during and after school.

Every day the mural “grew” before students’ eyes. They’d comment or just stand and stare in awe as they walked out to recess or lunch.

At Thursday’s ceremony the third-graders were bursting at the seams to point out the leaf or flower they’d painted or the bird they’d formed with their own hands. For years to come, they’ll return to DeLaveaga to find their part in this project. As they walk by the mural, they’ll remember that the birds on the wires are really musical notes to the tune of “Zippity Do-Dah,” a song they sang every day in third grade.

Do you have a skill you could share with your neighborhood school? If so, think of Susana Arias and the impression she’s made on her school. Contact the teachers and see what you can do to help your community.

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