Five new painted monoliths now adorn the recently completed pedestrian/bike path along Green Valley Road.
The Green Valley Road Multi-Use Project, headed up by the County of Santa Cruz Department of Community Development & Infrastructure and County Public Works, also features enhanced landscaping, new signs at Pinto Lake City and county parks, and upgraded road crossings.
Aptos artist Bruce Harman said he has been working on painting the high-relief monoliths for the past six months and just wrapped up the colorful artworks earlier this month.
“Some of the designs are derived from ancient Mexican culture,” Harman said. “These were some of the earliest signs of abstract art; they’re really amazing. People are shouting out of their cars or they’re walking up to me saying that they love what I’m doing; it’s all very encouraging.”
Harman has completed numerous outdoor murals around the county, including Watsonville Plaza City and a giant butterfly at the entrance to the Behavioral Health Facility on Freedom Boulevard.
The crown touch, Harman said, is that students at Amesti Elementary School did much of the tile work that makes up much of the new monoliths.
“The tiles were all made under the guidance of Amesti instructor Lucia Herrera,” he said. “She’s been a beloved art teacher for many years. She has a kiln there and she worked with the kids with the designs.”
Each monolith features 18 of the student-made tiles.
The overall project is funded by the Clean California Grant and 2016 Measure D.
