Jun 07, 2016 Mural painting and art show at Wirtz Elementary 2016
This is the time of year when my friend Erik Caruso and I gush about each other’s work. He tells me how much he digs Save Music in Chinatown, our efforts to raise money for music education at my daughter’s school, Castelar Elementary, by channeling the historic neighborhood’s punk rock past. I say that what he does for Wirtz Elementary in Paramount, where he teaches fifth grade, is on a different level because he not only exposes the students to contemporary art on their humble campus but encourages them to take part in an art show.
This year’s mural painters included new friends as well as familiar faces: Ben Brough, Gomez Bueno, Hanai Yusuke, Hi-Dutch, Rich Jacobs, Tim Kerr, Nathaniel Russell. How impressive were the wall-sized pieces by Nat, Yusuke, Ben, and Gomez? How cool were Rich’s backboards?
In addition to creating the huge mural that mashed up kid-sized figures with inspirational faces from history such as Delores Huerta, Rell Sunn, and John Lewis, Tim painted portraits to cover two classrooms for kids to see and perhaps even research throughout the school year. “I want to use my art as a weapon,” reads the Diego Rivera piece.
It’s always a blast to catch up with the artists during the weekend of painting (we didn’t paint or clean up, but Eloise got to draw with Rich and we gave Nat a ride to where he was staying) and see like-minded friends from the worlds of skateboarding, art, and music. Folks like Rich, Tim, and the others comfortably glide between those worlds and they provide an awesome example of living creatively and working with friends to make a difference.
I wish I could have seen the kids’ reaction to the new murals when they walked into school on Monday. The colorful art really transforms the drabbest of buildings–many of them portables–into a cool and interesting environment. My wife commented on the colorful garden in front of one of the older murals, and apparently the colorful artwork inspired the district to improve the landscaping as well.
As the kids were surprised by the murals–which Erik plans with artists and gets approval from the school and district months ahead of time–Tim was surprised by a concert. In honor of his 60th birthday, Erik had Chuck Treece, Mike Watt, and Ray Barbee play “No” and “Fun Fun Fun” by his old skate punk band, The Big Boys, with vocals provided by fifth graders who had no idea how fortunate we were to see that combo playing those songs.
It was a real cool moment for a guy who has influenced generations of artists and musicians not only as creator of inspiring portraiture and well-loved songs but someone who has flied the flag for do-it-yourself culture for decades. But the afternoon really belonged to his most immediate audience–the students at Wirtz Elementary. At the art show in video messages, Shepard Fairey, Yusuke Hanai, Hi-Dutch, Rich Jacobs, Tim Kerr, Matt Leines, Nathaniel Russell, Sandy Yang, and Tobin Yellend spotlighted certain student pieces inspired by their own work and gave out art, prints, stickers, supplies, zines, and other items as extra encouragement. Erik repeatedly stressed that the program wasn’t about winning stuff but making your own art.
Erik started the program seven years ago because he was bummed that Wirtz kids didn’t have an art program. The art sessions take place after class on his personal time with voluntary participation by kids and the generous support of a growing network of artists that donate their time. Paramount is tucked between Compton, Downey, Bellflower, and Lakewood and doesn’t have a lot of resources but this program has richness, soul, and repercussions that can’t be bought.
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