National Art Honor Society Contributes to Local Mural
Palos Verdes recently received an artistic upgrade at the Ernie Howlett Park. The park, located in Palos Verdes, offers facilities for a variety of outdoor activities including horseback riding, baseball and tennis. Due to the popularity of the park, Peninsula alumna Marianna DeSalles asked the city council for permission to paint a mural on a blank 20-by-40-foot concrete wall facing the park’s entrance. While DeSalles originally wanted the mural to reflect the park’s history, officials suggested the mural feature the sports offered at the 35-acre park. DeSalles offered aspiring artists at Peninsula, who are interested in broadening their talents, to be involved in the project.
DeSalles wanted to bring focus on the importance of art in her childhood home and believed it was not celebrated nor explored enough. She was studying artistic collaboration with the children at Rolling Hills Country Day School and became inspired to create a large-scale art project with the help of high school students. DeSalles was in high school when she chose art as her career path, so she thought giving students passionate about art an opportunity to try something new would be beneficial. Senior Ivory Macracken-Sanders praises DeSalles for offering students the opportunity to experience new forms of art.
“This project really sparked my interest in mural painting, something I did not know I enjoyed beforehand,” Macracken-Sanders said. “Knowing I was having fun for a good cause was worthwhile as well.”
Last year, all students from Drawing and Painting received the chance to contribute to the mural by submitting their own mandala designs. In the end, DeSalles and the volunteers collectively thought of the design for the mandala, which is a geometric pattern containing a circle and a center point.
“I chose a mandala as the template to include the sports because it represents unity and the importance of smaller parts creating a whole,” DeSalles said. “This relates to being part of a team. Sports activities are also known for bringing communities together.”
The mural features a horse jumping in the foreground while a baseball player prepares to bat in the lower right corner. On the opposite end, soccer players hands shake hands while others showcase their jerseys.
Sophomore Sara Fang believes this mural will have a considerably positive impact on the community.
“I believe the community, especially the people who go to the park, will feel even more connected with everyone here on the Peninsula,” Fang said. “They will be proud to have the mural to symbolize and represent us as a whole.”
DeSalles’ hope is that this will inspire artists in the area and offer the community the opportunity to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of nature in the city. The colors are eye-catching and vibrant and will hopefully attract people who are unaware of the park.
Although the mural is nearly finished, there are some finalizing touches that need to be added. Macracken-Sanders is hoping that by the end of this month, the mural will be completely finished. She is thankful to have been a part of the project and believes that the mural truly defines the Palos Verdes Peninsula and captures the essence of the community .
“I think Palos Verdes, while geographically picturesque, really needed some artistic display, and this mural really artistically beautifies the naturally gorgeous landscape,” Macracken-Sanders said. “From now on, the first thing visitors will see when entering the park will be this impressive mural showcasing Peninsula’s unique talent and creativity.
Graphic Credit: Connor Tumelty
