Creation of a New "Poly-Fresco" Mural Painting Technique

By Master Muralist, Susan Kelk Cervantes in collaboration with Master Plasterer Chris Stefano



"COMMUNITY WISDOM"

©2004 Susan Kelk Cervantes

Precita Eyes Muralists is proud to announce the completion of the very first "Poly-Fresco" mural painted on an exterior, east-facing wall located at the Leonard R. Flynn Elementary School. Entitled "Community Wisdom", this mural was created through a process similar to the traditional true fresco technique of painting on a wet plaster surface. The use of an acrylic paste in place of the lime putty used in traditional fresco is one of the main differences. The content of the mural design revolves around a single hand raised up wide open, like a greeting, representing the one part of human-kind that is unique because our hands are used to create what we see in front of us, the origin of art. From the center of this community hand is the spiral of infinite creativity. It moves with wings turning into more hands helping others transforming into pure spirit. This project was supported by the San Francisco Art Commission's Cultural Equity Program Individual Artists Grant. The Flynn Elementary School site is where Susan Cervantes has created several murals with students and residents over the past 25 years. The monumental mural "Family Life and Spirit of Mankind" is considered one of the finest public community murals in the country. As a resident living across the street from Flynn School at Precita Park for over 30 years it seems appropriate for Susan to continue to evolve and share her passion for muralism in her own neighborhood.

Chris Stefano is a painter, who has studied at the Art Students League, the High School of Music and Art and the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He learned the art of true Venetian Plaster in Italy and has done many projects through the U.S. and around the world. He currently resides in Vallejo, California.

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