Gilroy
– The difference between a waiting room and a welcome room is
several cans of paint, some creativity and the dedication of 13
Gilroy students.
Once dreary and drab, the small entrance room at Saint Joseph’s
Family Center has been transformed into a bright, engaging space
with cream- and plum-colored walls and brand new tile.
Gilroy – The difference between a waiting room and a welcome room is several cans of paint, some creativity and the dedication of 13 Gilroy students.
Once dreary and drab, the small entrance room at Saint Joseph’s Family Center has been transformed into a bright, engaging space with cream- and plum-colored walls and brand new tile.
The crowning centerpiece is a colorful, 4-by-8-foot mural, hand painted by 13 seventh-graders from Ascension Solorsano Middle School. The mural features several cartoon characters, chosen by the students, reflecting Gilroy’s various cultures and ethnicities. The idea was that children who visit the center, which provides assistance to low-income families, will feel comfortable and non-threatened while in the welcome room, said Solorsano teacher Bryce Davies who helped coordinate the mural painting.
The students signed their names to their work and will present the mural to the center’s board of directors in a few weeks.
Robert Carrera, 12, created a Vietnamese Bart Simpson, while classmate Nicholas Shear painted a Japanese Yoshi, a friendly dragon featured in a series of Nintendo games.
“I wanted to help out and have fun,” said Diana Gracia, who painted Lilo and Stitch, Hawaiian characters from a Disney movie. “For the people waiting, I want them to forget their sadness or anger and have fun with colors.”
The students volunteered to take on the project in December when Davies asked for helpers. A former art teacher, the teacher said she wants to see more art in schools and is hoping to get a grant that would help build a monument at Solorsano next year, as a gift from the school’s first eighth grade class.
Seventh-grader Michael Garcia served as a volunteer for the family center about a year ago, helping cart in food from the backs of delivery trucks. Now, he said he volunteered to help again because he enjoys reaching out to people in need.
“I feel sorry for the people who don’t have as much,” he said. “I wanted to help.”
The mural was funded in part by a $1,500 donation from Tee Off For Youth, an annual charity golf tournament that raises money for youth programs in Gilroy.
ResCom Painting of Gilroy offered to paint the walls of the welcome room, and San Jose artist Barbara Pollock helped weave the mural together by painting bleachers and fairpoles in the background, as well as the flags of the different countries represented in Gilroy.
Still needed for the renovated room are children’s books and furniture. To donate, call the center at 842-6662.
