More than 70 Santa Maria High School (SMHS) art students are participating in an ongoing mural project, decorating the plywood walls surrounding the school’s new administration building. The three-story structure is currently in construction and will feature an admin office, 50 classrooms, and a bell tower.
For the mural project, students created their designs during class, which were then approved by art teachers Merrie Okie-Goldin and Chelsea Greene. Following approval, the students can then begin painting the murals themselves. Murals in the works so far include a Chinese New Year-themed piece and a Cartoon Network tribute.
“Some parts of our school are just pretty dull to look at,” senior art student Jesus Solano said in a press release from SMHS. “Our work will make school look and feel more creative.”
The new admin building will also use energy-savings measures, including LED lighting and modern climate control systems, paid for through Measure H. The structure is expected to be completed by spring 2022.
This article appears in Feb 6-13, 2020.
