moveable murals watsonville city hall
Watsonville city workers Jose Mendieta (left) and Jose Ortega hoist a new mural onto a wall at City Hall on Main Street Tuesday as part of the Moveable Murals project. Photo: Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian

A new phase of the ongoing Moveable Murals project, at the City Hall building, 250 Main St., went up on the exterior walls Tuesday. 

Seven murals, ranging in size from 4-by-8-feet to 8-by-20-feet, were installed to showcase the artwork of Watsonville and Aptos High School students who explored the theme of personal identity through their English literature and ethnic studies classes in 2022.  

The project is a joint effort between the City of Watsonville and Pajaro Valley Arts (PVA). Pajaro Valley Unified School District and PVA are in charge of exhibiting the murals made up of photo collages of 39 student works selected from 150 entries. The final results are printed on vinyl and then designed by artists Karen Lemon, Judy Stabile and Rhia Hurt.

“The Identity Portrait Project synthesized examples from art and literature into individual student artworks focused on identity, history and what lies beneath the surface of outside appearances,” said Hurt, Visual and Performing Arts Teacher on Special Assignment for PVUSD. “Students bravely shared parts of themselves with their peers and the community by participating in this project. We are better off when we can see more of ourselves and others.” 

moveable murals watsonville city hall
This 20-foot-wide mural is a composite of high school students’ art work. Photo: Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian
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