SESSER: From finger-painting will arise murals in Mo'town

Murals in Mo'town thanks Modestans for their support!

Our group is made up of dedicated individuals that have volunteered to come together to develop murals in Modesto. The artwork will celebrate the pride and positive attributes that make this community one-of-a-kind. The members of our group include: William Broderick-Villa, Karlha and Nathan Davies, Sherri Darpinian, Jon Theisen and Kristi Ah You.

The goal is to create positive change in Modesto through murals and in turn help us bring life to our downtown!

We have developed a working definition that encompasses our vision and mission:

Murals in Mo'town (noun)

1. Community based mural project.

2. Generates pride in the community through publicly displayed art.

3. Highlights the wonderful elements of Modesto and celebrates the people that live here.

4. Uses art as a tool to build bridges across barriers between ethnic and cultural groups.

5. Showcases local artists.

6. Provides a vehicle for a publicity campaign for positive media stories to increase awareness of the awesomeness that is Modesto.

Our focus is around the seven themes that emerged from residents in a community survey a few years ago. The themes are:

• Agriculture and industry,

• Community,

• Location,

• Culture,

• Parks and outdoors

• Hometown heroes and

• Small-town feel.

On Nov. 14, Modesto was introduced to our CommonWealth project group Murals in Mo'town. We hosted our launch party at the Camp 4 Wine Café and featured some of Modesto's most fabulous people as guest artists in a unique event: a finger-painting face-off.

It was a wonderful opportunity for our community to show support for public art.

We would like to thank all of those who have supported our efforts, including our mentors, known as "yodas" — Mathew Francis and Dave Sahl, as well as those who participated as guest artists and those who donated in support of our cause.

In addition, we are truly grateful to Aaron Vickery, our talented muralist who will be painting the first of several murals. Thank you to the Camp 4 Wine Café for being the first business to join us in our quest to bring murals to Modesto and showcase the pride we have as residents!

To help our cause, send donations to: Murals in Mo'town c/o Jon Theisen, Omega Pacific Insurance, 1165 Scenic Dr. Suite A, Modesto 95350

If you would like additional information: www.facebook.com/MuralsinMotown

Sesser is president of Murals in Mo'town.