MURAL BEAUTIFICATION is happening thanks to 4th grade students at Penngrove Elementary School. Last December students noticed graffiti on the retaining wall at Old Redwood Hwy. and Main St., and discussed how to improve their community. They decided the best solution was a mural on the 8 ft. x 20 ft. wall. Because they were studying the persuasive essay, each student wrote an essay about why they wanted to create a mural, and drew pictures of their design visions. They sent the package off to Supervisor Rabbitt’s office, who referred them to Johannes Hoevertsz (Director of Transportation and Public Works) for permission to use the wall on a county road. After the director gave them a green light, the next step was funding. They figured they could get donations, hold bake sales and car washes, but they would need to know the financial goal. So, they sought bids from the non-profit Artstart program, and from muralist Maxfield Bala (who has completed several murals at the school). Students interviewed both artists, and selected Bala for the project based on bids. Bala then met with each student individually to hear each student’s ideas for the artwork. Students took Bala’s three designs to the entire student body for a vote, with 320 of the 479 students voting for the mountain lion image, with flora and fauna for the area. Per a statement from Supervisor Rabbitt’s office: Supervisor Rabbitt and Transportation Public Works recognize the ongoing need to address graffiti on the retaining wall at the corner of Main Street and Old Redwood Highway. The County of Sonoma is pleased to enter into a pilot project to abate graffiti with the students, teacher Jenny Hlebakos and a local artist on this public art project. The project will be funded through Transportation Public Works Road fund that is used for retaining wall maintenance. “I’m excited that Penngrove Elementary student art will be on full display on this retaining wall, and will serve as an important pilot project to other areas of our county,” said Second District Supervisor David Rabbitt, “I am appreciative of supportive staff work at Transportation Public Works that will make this project a reality, and the imagination and care from our local students and Ms. Hlebakos that went into developing this creative solution.”
Courtesy of Sonoma County Gazette (July 2022), Penngrove Station columnist Lyndi Brown.
