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As part of the 2007 Biannual Public Art and Mural Symposium held in Manteca, we had an invitational mural competition. Eight North American artists were asked to paint 5ft X 8ft murals that depicted the bounty of the Central Valley. These eight murals are now hanging in the Manteca Senior Center at 295 Cherry Lane. First place went to Jessie Marinas of Manteca for his mural, “The Harvest Continues.” It is an exceptionally detailed mural that shows the harvesting of grapes for the crush. He met with local grower, John Leandro at his property to research and design his mural. Although Jessie’s dog was not in the original design, Promise insisted on being included. Promise would sit faithfully by Jessie’s side as he painted through the night and it just seemed right that his vigil should be memorialized in the mural. Jessie uses a unique technique to finish his painting, he paints the detail lines using a nail dipped in paint. If you look at Promise you can see the individual paint lines that make up his fur. Jessie Marinas was born and educated in the Philippines. He came to Manteca in 2000 after a disability retirement from his job as an engineer for Kvberner in San Ramon due to spinal deterioration.

As part of the 2007 Biannual Public Art and Mural Symposium held in Manteca, we had an invitational mural competition. Eight North American artists were asked to paint 5ft X 8ft murals that depicted the bounty of the Central Valley. These eight murals are now hanging in the Manteca Senior Center at 295 Cherry Lane. Second place went to Colleen Mitchell-Veyna of Tulare, California for her pastoral mural, “Rich with the Spoils of Nature.” A farmer stands and surveys his farm with his dog by his side. You can see the detail of the weave on his hat in the shadows thrown on his face. It is a lovely image that evokes not only the vision but the smells and sounds of the farm as well. Dairy is an important part of the agriculture in our area and this mural is definitely a local favorite.

As part of the 2007 Biannual Public Art and Mural Symposium held in Manteca, we had an invitational mural competition. Eight North American artists were asked to paint 5ft X 8ft murals that depicted the bounty of the Central Valley. These eight murals are now hanging in the Manteca Senior Center at 295 Cherry Lane. Third place winner was Ella Yates. She is truly a child of the world, although she lists her address as Colorado, she can be found painting on any continent! “Peaches” is a wonderful mural showing a bird’s eye view of a family picking peaches in their own yard. It shows the bounty of our valley on a “homey” level instead of a commercial endeavor. Ella does an exceptional job of painting people and refers to herself as “a people person.”

“Our Bountiful Valley” is a mural-in-a-day designed and directed by Master Muralist, Art Mortimer. This vivid design traces the history of the fruits of our valley. From the Yokuts Indian hunter-gatherers to the Hudson Bay fur trappers, from the original dry farmers with their winter crops up to today’s irrigated farming which produces a huge variety of field crops as well as orchard crops, making our big valley one of the most productive areas in the United States. Art Mortimer has done a masterful job in bringing all of this information together for us to contemplate and enjoy. This 16’ by 30’ mural was painted in one day on the north-facing wall of 110 N Sycamore by community volunteers under Art’s direction. It was dedicated on October 21, 2007 as the culmination of the 2007 Biannual Public Art and Mural Symposium held in Manteca.

As part of the 2007 Biannual Public Art and Mural Symposium held in Manteca, we had an invitational mural competition. Eight North American artists were asked to paint 5ft X 8ft murals that depicted the bounty of the Central Valley. These eight murals are now hanging in the Manteca Senior Center at 295 Cherry Lane. “History of Agriculture in Manteca” by Guillermo Kelly shows historical and agricultural elements of Manteca intertwining in an Escher-like style. Joshua Cowell, our founder is shown in the middle and is surrounded by a Benjamin Holt tractor, a windmill, Moffat feed lots, fields being planted by hand and the city of Manteca as it began to grow.

As part of the 2007 Biannual Public Art and Mural Symposium held in Manteca, we had an invitational mural competition. Eight North American artists were asked to paint 5ft X 8ft murals that depicted the bounty of the Central Valley. These eight murals are now hanging in the Manteca Senior Center at 295 Cherry Lane. “Bounty in a Basket” is a bold design with the golden sun and crystalline water embracing the fields of our valley and culminating in a myriad of harvested delights. This mural was submitted by Brian Romagnoli from Ontario, Canada. Brian studied in Canada and Italy and has brought his skills to bear in many arenas, from mural art to historical preservation, from public speaking to writing. He was truly a charming person to work with and the public and press kept him so busy in discourse that he had a difficult time completing his mural!

As part of the 2007 Biannual Public Art and Mural Symposium held in Manteca, we had an invitational mural competition. Eight North American artists were asked to paint 5ft X 8ft murals that depicted the bounty of the Central Valley. These eight murals are now hanging in the Manteca Senior Center at 295 Cherry Lane. June Sands, a local artist from Ripon who designed the Seal for the County of San Joaquin at the age of thirteen, presented “Backyard Harvest.” The mural shows a farmer by an orchard with Mount Diablo in the background. Of all the entries in the competition, this one truly feels like our area of the Central Valley. Great job capturing our family farms!

“Local Motion” is our second children’s mural, also designed and coordinated by Terri Pasquini. She designed a striking mural to be painted by children at the annual Art in the Park event. The mural depicts children participating in sports activities typical to our area. It’s always great fun to watch the children work so diligently at painting between the lines. Their serious little faces as they make each stroke, and their enormous pride as they sign their names. This four foot by eight foot mural was dedicated on August 14, 2007 and was mounted in Library Park at 320 West Center next to the “Summer Vision” mural.

“Free-for-All” is our third mural-in-a-weekend project painted by volunteers. This mural is designed to show children at play, having fun at harvest time. Kiwanis International is noted for many things but especially their work with children. Since the local Kiwanis Clubs sponsored this mural we wanted to capture some of their special projects. They do a fishing derby, an Easter egg hunt, reading programs, built a playground, and of course, the local pumpkin fair. This was a 17’ by 50’ mural on the west wall of ABC Transmission facing South Maple Street.

“Summer Vision” was designed and coordinated by Terri Pasquini. She took on the challenge of working with children, from babes in arms on up! At the annual Art in the Park event, the little ones waited in line to take turns painting on Terri’s design. They each signed their name on the frame of the artwork. This 4 foot by eight foot work of art was dedicated on July 11, 2006 and was mounted in Library Park at 320 West Center.