COMMUNITY MURAL TELLING LUISEÑO STORIES TO BE UNVEILED AT LIBRARY
The unveiling of a community mural inside the Oceanside Public Library’s Mission Branch is set for Saturday.
The 15-by-20-foot mural hangs on the wall of the children’s section near the library’s entrance. The artwork illustrates traditional stories passed on through generations of the San Luis Rey Band of Luiseño Mission Indians.
The work was part of a community effort spearheaded by members of the San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians, Linda Kallas of Floating Hearts Connections and international muralist Gibran Isaias Lopez, who lives in Escondido.
Lopez created the mural by incorporating artistic ideas from community members during several workshops, led by Floating Hearts Connections and Lopez at the Oceanside Library in March. The workshops highlighted Luiseño stories. Teaching artists worked with community members to visually represent the stories.
The project is a tribute to the heritage of the Luiseño people. Oceanside is situated on the traditional territory of the Payómkawichum people, also known as Luiseño.
“The San Luis Rey Band of Luiseño Mission Indians has preserved its identity as a people within local communities that now are on ancestral tribal lands, in the areas surrounding Mission San Luis Rey,” said Mel Vernon, captain of the San Luis Rey Band of Luiseño Indians.
“Today the San Luis Rey Band of Luiseño Indians faces challenges in saving and preserving what remains of their cultural past, and in creating and sharing its heritage with future generations to come. This project is meant to honor their past and future,” said Jennelise Hafen, senior librarian, Adult Services.
Along with creating art, Lopez leads workshops in such subjects as personal development, spiritual wellbeing, creativity and team building. Lopez travels around the world, learning about diverse cultures and shares their ideas through multidisciplinary programs.
He is known as an intuitive artist who uses art to help people heal and grow.
He has authored a novel, “The Crow’s Aura: The Path to Forgiveness; and a companion workbook containing mental, physical, and spiritual exercises titled: The Crow’s Aura: Unearthing Our Gifts Workbook.”
The program was funded by The Oceanside Public Library
Foundation and the Friends of the Oceanside Public Library.
The library will host a free reception with the muralist, members of the San Luis Rey Band of Luiseño Mission Indians and the public to celebrate the mural at 3 p.m. Saturday at the library, 3861 Mission Mission Ave.