OXNARD — Oxnard Housing Authority Resident Services Department from La Colonia is proud to announce the completion of the fifth mural installment of the Youth Summer Mural Program. This year’s mural is aptly named “2020”. The mural is located in the back parking lot of the Oxnard Housing Authority Resident Services Offices, located at 1500 Camino Del Sol, Oxnard.
The Oxnard Housing Authority Resident Services Youth Summer Mural Program was successfully launched in the summer of 2017. Murals inspired by the community for the community and titled by the community.
The “2020” mural focuses on thanking essential workers and bringing awareness to current and continued community issues. Depicted on the top center of the mural are two children holding up a banner stating “I can’t breathe!” and directly under is a Dia De Los Muertos altar with framed text memorializing victims of COVID-19, social injustice, police brutality, domestic violence, hate crimes, sexual assault, and suicide. While the youth wished they could have included individual names they knew they could not have fit them all, and they did not want to exclude anyone so they opted for the categories mentioned above. On either side of the altar are the essential workers: a field worker, a medical person, a stocker, and a cashier. The cashier’s checkout stand has the words “Thank you essential workers!” and the cashier has a badge with “RIP 24/2” acknowledging the passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi by including their jersey numbers. Finally, the youth brought it all together by painting their versions of marigold flowers across the whole background and on the altar. The topics the youth took on this summer proved to be emotional for all involved and we are proud of their work!
This year’s youth artistic team included Leslie L., Jennifer L., Sarahi G., Esmeralda R., and Jessica J. Two local artists, Monica Torres and Mark Echevarria, mentored, assisted, and overall supported the project along with lead artist, Ana M. Carrillo.
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the youth met via Zoom, had a series of phone calls, and text to develop the mural concept and design. The youth had long discussions to determine what to include on this year’s mural and how to layout their ideas. As part of their leadership development skills they also decided project timeline, meeting times, dates, colors, and which tasks they will take on. The Youth Summer Mural Program is an intense program in its nature and this year’s added challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic added another layer of planning and preparing. But the youth were up for the challenge, and all necessary COVID-19 preventive planning and preventive materials were put in place. Masks and social distancing were a must. COVID-19 orientation and preventive training were hosted prior to beginning the painting process and followed throughout the summer.
While the indoor guest speaker series of the past summers did not take place, guest artist series were hosted outdoors only for the five youth within the program. One of the guest artists, Jose Galvan, showcased his painting skills as the youth observed while socially distancing and wearing masks; and guest artist Zuleima Jimenez, hosted a healing circle in which the youth were freely able to discuss any anxieties they faced during this stay-at-home order and learned relaxing breathing techniques also while socially distancing and wearing masks.
Funding for the mural program and guest speaker series was made possible thanks to the support of the Ventura County Arts Council, Our Town Our Children. A Social Awareness Art Project. and DJC Services & Installation.
For more information about the youth art program or Oxnard Housing Authority Resident Services programs please contact, Rose Banuelos, Resident Services Coordinator at (805) 385-7574 or rose.banuelos@oxnard.org