Thanks to the efforts of a group of local students and artist Jaime Sanchez, a new colorful mural has been added to an outdoor wall of the Family Center in Ramsay Park.
The 65-by-15-foot work, titled “The Bigger Picture,” stems from the Teen Artes program under the umbrella of Pajaro Valley Arts of Watsonville and in collaboration with the Watsonville Parks Department.
“This is my first time working on something like this,” said one of the teen painters, Amarah Ohlhausen. “I brought in the idea of including an eagle in the mural. It’s a symbol of freedom and I felt that was important.”
Sanchez said the group of 11 teens worked with him in drawing up the subject of the art piece that includes a large portrait of a woman, fish, the night sky dotted with stars, flowers and several animals.
“I really like this project,” said Josefina Rocha as she carefully brushed on a swath of blue paint. “I’m loving that these students are motivated and inspired by putting their vision and their journey into the mural. Jaime is a great guide in helping to create and give life to their vision.”
Victor Moreno, a Pajaro Valley High School senior, was one of the painters working on a ladder.
“I just wanted to try something new,” he said. “It’s a good way to meet new people and to bond with them.”
Sanchez, who has created numerous murals around the Pajaro Valley, said he was impressed with the array of talent in the group.
“Everyone has brought something important to the mural,” he said. “It’s a beautiful project.”
