Mural Involving Every Student Continues Along Elementary School Wall

It's a project that every child, no matter what their capability or artistic skill, can participate in. And, it's one of the big secrets of the Cahuenga Pass.

The only way to view the Valley View Elementary School mural is from the inside, from the main office, looking back toward the wall, so it's hidden from public view. But, the impact is the same.

"It's one of the focal points of the school, everyone comes to the school and says, 'Wow, look at the mural' and then they find out that the kids designed and painted it all," said Kindergarten teacher Jessica Hoeschen.

Actually, Hoeschen has been instrumental in mapping out the wall that runs the length of the elementary school that has 250 students K through 6th grades (one of the smallest public schools in all of Los Angeles Unified School District) that attracts students mostly from Studio City, Hollywood and Toluca Lake.

Along with LAUSD art teacher Michele Nelson, Hoeschen has collected student sketches of certain kinds of animals. This year, it will be animals and plants of the rainforest. 

Then, artist Shaunt Nigoghossian, who has a son in the school, has volunteered his skills to put the pieces of the student art together in a mural that spans the length of the school, which has been around since 1917.

Check out the video of Hoeschen and the children finishing up the African section of the mural.

The mural is a cooperative project involving all the teachers, the PTA, the community and funded by the California Institute of Contemporary Arts.

Adults are needed to help! Later in the fall, adults will be needed to sketch out the outlines of the mural at night and then volunteers will be needed to help supervise the children during the day. If you have some artistic talent (although they say it's not necessary) contact: info@valleyviewelementary.org.

Also see:
* A Reader's Photo Essay of the Mural Project