Woodrow Wilson Junior High School officials unveil the new mosaic emblem Saturday made by students of the Rainforest Art Project. About 25 students worked for more than a year on this project. (Alejandro Davila) |
A little more than a week ago Taiza Grijalva, 14, put the last piece of a mosaic emblem built by Woodrow Wilson Junior High School students.
Her piece marked the end of a yearlong project.
“It’s really beautiful,” said Taiza, who is one of the 25 students in the Rainforest Art Project responsible for creating the mosaic unveiled Saturday morning.
School district officials, El Centro City Councilwoman Cheryl Viegas-Walker, Mayor Sedalia Sanders and even Imperial County Supervisor Jack Terrazas were present at the unveiling.
“I am impressed,” said Sanders, with the design and the talent of the students.
“It’s really a great honor,” said Maggie Jones, 13, who stood nearby. Maggie is another member of the Rainforest Art Project and student at Wilson. “I’m really surprised that a lot of people were here to watch,” she said.
And indeed, there were a lot of people present with about 100 attendees waiting for the blue curtain to fall and thus see the school’s emblem, a Native American warrior made with thousands of mosaic pieces.
“This is world-class art,” said Dan Evers referring to the emblem.
Evers is the director of the Rainforest Art Project, which tries “to bring art back into classrooms” and also help at-risk youth.
“Art can change history,” said Evers, empower children and is essential for our happiness.
Though this particular project is over, similar mosaics are expected to be seen decorating the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Skate Park and other projects that Evers preferred not to reveal just yet.
The idea now is to continue beautifying public and private spaces around the city with the help of private sponsors.
“We can provide permanent wonderful art,” said Evers, who is encouraging the community to become involved with this project and the children.
The impact of this program in the lives of children is very positive, said Jhovanna Litz, a Rainforest Art Project instructor.
“I see kids improving every day,” Litz said, and not only in their skills, but in their discipline and their confidence.
“With art you can never go wrong,” she said.
Staff Writer Alejandro Davila can be reached at 760-337-3445 or adavila@ivpressonline.com
Her piece marked the end of a yearlong project.
“It’s really beautiful,” said Taiza, who is one of the 25 students in the Rainforest Art Project responsible for creating the mosaic unveiled Saturday morning.
School district officials, El Centro City Councilwoman Cheryl Viegas-Walker, Mayor Sedalia Sanders and even Imperial County Supervisor Jack Terrazas were present at the unveiling.
“I am impressed,” said Sanders, with the design and the talent of the students.
“It’s really a great honor,” said Maggie Jones, 13, who stood nearby. Maggie is another member of the Rainforest Art Project and student at Wilson. “I’m really surprised that a lot of people were here to watch,” she said.
And indeed, there were a lot of people present with about 100 attendees waiting for the blue curtain to fall and thus see the school’s emblem, a Native American warrior made with thousands of mosaic pieces.
“This is world-class art,” said Dan Evers referring to the emblem.
Evers is the director of the Rainforest Art Project, which tries “to bring art back into classrooms” and also help at-risk youth.
“Art can change history,” said Evers, empower children and is essential for our happiness.
Though this particular project is over, similar mosaics are expected to be seen decorating the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Skate Park and other projects that Evers preferred not to reveal just yet.
The idea now is to continue beautifying public and private spaces around the city with the help of private sponsors.
“We can provide permanent wonderful art,” said Evers, who is encouraging the community to become involved with this project and the children.
The impact of this program in the lives of children is very positive, said Jhovanna Litz, a Rainforest Art Project instructor.
“I see kids improving every day,” Litz said, and not only in their skills, but in their discipline and their confidence.
“With art you can never go wrong,” she said.
Staff Writer Alejandro Davila can be reached at 760-337-3445 or adavila@ivpressonline.com
