Community Murals 2009-2021
View the entire process of making murals with various Communities, from design to finished murals.
Visit School Murals here.
Visit School Murals here.
“Rescue, Rehab, Release” ©2019 Ellen Silva commissioned by Precita Eyes Muralists
Design/Directed by: Ellen Silva
Painted by: Ellen Silva with Private Ocean and volunteers
Size: 114' x 7.4'
Materials: Acrylic on Concrete
Location: 2000 Bunker Rd., Fort Cronkite, Sausalito CA
Funded by: Private Ocean
Design/Directed by: Ellen Silva
Painted by: Ellen Silva with Private Ocean and volunteers
Size: 114' x 7.4'
Materials: Acrylic on Concrete
Location: 2000 Bunker Rd., Fort Cronkite, Sausalito CA
Funded by: Private Ocean
Community Spirit ©2021 Ellen Silva commissioned by Precita Eyes Muralists
Designed/Directed by: Ellen Silva in collaboration with 20 faculty & staff members Marjorie H. Tobias Elementary School, Daly City
Size: 18’6” wide x 8’ high acrylic on cinder block
Location: Tobias Elementary School, 725 Price Street, Daly City, CA 94014
Designed/Directed by: Ellen Silva in collaboration with 20 faculty & staff members Marjorie H. Tobias Elementary School, Daly City
Size: 18’6” wide x 8’ high acrylic on cinder block
Location: Tobias Elementary School, 725 Price Street, Daly City, CA 94014
Description
From the Tobias Teachers & Staff:
Cristina Almeida Our hands and hearts come together in strength, gratitude and hope.
Casey Baker Together, we grow and flourish. Together, we reach toward greatness
Faye Baltazar The outer hands symbolize the teachers/staff who help mold and shape the student’s futures. The Students are at the center of the community at the heart. Through togetherness and unity, we are able to shape the younger generations.
Brooke Clark My idea was to have different skin tones of hands putting together a puzzle, representing that we all have different skill sets and talents and that together we can solve problems and make things happen.
Jeanne Conroy MHT, School, Community, support each other
Miranda Correll "Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much"
Katherine Harsono Stronger Together Unity in Diversity Celebrate the strength of togetherness in a world of Diversity and Kindness
Jennifer Kwon People from all over the world come "together" to form a whole family.
Kim Lee My message is unity because we only have one earth and all our differences should be embraced.
Betty Lew Marjorie H. Tobias Elementary encompasses a school community filled with diversity and love- working together in unison to strive for unity and commitment to peace and friendship.
Cathy Macay "This is a unity symbol, a symbol of hope (rainbows). It denotes togetherness, nature, and life skills - which were 3 of the themes we voted on. Also, it (sideways eight) is known as a lemniscate - which is mathematical''.
Molly McDermott Peace, love, strength, unity, caring, love, learning, forgiveness, hope, kindness, integrity, honor
Victoria Ngo Togetherness to me means our community-- which is diverse. Now more than ever, inclusivity is important.
Michael Smith Ants focus of their community first, think ahead, and don’t give up.
Melanie Sowyrda Although we can not physically touch, we do our upmost best to support our families, students, and colleagues. We draw our strength from the energy of our earth and from one another.
Anoushka Takla Together we endure and support our collective growth. This goes with the picture of the Coastal Redwood grove.
Ashley Tomlinson We stand together. We are stronger together.
Cristina Almeida Our hands and hearts come together in strength, gratitude and hope.
Casey Baker Together, we grow and flourish. Together, we reach toward greatness
Faye Baltazar The outer hands symbolize the teachers/staff who help mold and shape the student’s futures. The Students are at the center of the community at the heart. Through togetherness and unity, we are able to shape the younger generations.
Brooke Clark My idea was to have different skin tones of hands putting together a puzzle, representing that we all have different skill sets and talents and that together we can solve problems and make things happen.
Jeanne Conroy MHT, School, Community, support each other
Miranda Correll "Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much"
Katherine Harsono Stronger Together Unity in Diversity Celebrate the strength of togetherness in a world of Diversity and Kindness
Jennifer Kwon People from all over the world come "together" to form a whole family.
Kim Lee My message is unity because we only have one earth and all our differences should be embraced.
Betty Lew Marjorie H. Tobias Elementary encompasses a school community filled with diversity and love- working together in unison to strive for unity and commitment to peace and friendship.
Cathy Macay "This is a unity symbol, a symbol of hope (rainbows). It denotes togetherness, nature, and life skills - which were 3 of the themes we voted on. Also, it (sideways eight) is known as a lemniscate - which is mathematical''.
Molly McDermott Peace, love, strength, unity, caring, love, learning, forgiveness, hope, kindness, integrity, honor
Victoria Ngo Togetherness to me means our community-- which is diverse. Now more than ever, inclusivity is important.
Michael Smith Ants focus of their community first, think ahead, and don’t give up.
Melanie Sowyrda Although we can not physically touch, we do our upmost best to support our families, students, and colleagues. We draw our strength from the energy of our earth and from one another.
Anoushka Takla Together we endure and support our collective growth. This goes with the picture of the Coastal Redwood grove.
Ashley Tomlinson We stand together. We are stronger together.
“DRIVE SAFELY–Conduzca Con Ciudado” ©2019 Ellen Silva
Size: 30' x 4', acrylic on MDO Board
Directed by: Ellen Silva and Carlene Foldenaur (Safe Routes to Schools) with 4th and 5th grade students from Cunha Elementary School, Half Moon Bay/Boys & Girls Club Coastside
Location: Hwy 1 /Kelly Avenue, Half Moon Bay
Size: 30' x 4', acrylic on MDO Board
Directed by: Ellen Silva and Carlene Foldenaur (Safe Routes to Schools) with 4th and 5th grade students from Cunha Elementary School, Half Moon Bay/Boys & Girls Club Coastside
Location: Hwy 1 /Kelly Avenue, Half Moon Bay
Description
“Rescue, Rehab, Release”
Located in the upper parking lot, the mural design tells the story of the Marine Mammal Center’s amazing work rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing sea lions and seals.
Beginning on the left, at beachside, the viewer sees sea lions with entanglements and in other unhealthy conditions. They are brought by workers in the rescue truck to the MMC where they are x-rayed, examined, fed, operated on and brought back to better health. Then they are brought back to the beach and happily released back to their native environment into the ocean.
Located in the upper parking lot, the mural design tells the story of the Marine Mammal Center’s amazing work rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing sea lions and seals.
Beginning on the left, at beachside, the viewer sees sea lions with entanglements and in other unhealthy conditions. They are brought by workers in the rescue truck to the MMC where they are x-rayed, examined, fed, operated on and brought back to better health. Then they are brought back to the beach and happily released back to their native environment into the ocean.
Vivir, trabajar y jugar En un Ambiente Saludable - ©2019 Ellen Silva
size: 10' x 4', acrylic on tyvek
directed by: Ellen Silva with ALAS families (Ayudando Latinos A Soñar, A Latino Cultural Arts and SocialServices Program)
funding by: City of Half Moon Bay
size: 10' x 4', acrylic on tyvek
directed by: Ellen Silva with ALAS families (Ayudando Latinos A Soñar, A Latino Cultural Arts and SocialServices Program)
funding by: City of Half Moon Bay
Description
Una Comunidad Segura Necesita:
• Un plan de emergencia para todos los miembros de la comunidad de HMB Coastside.
• Más carriles de bicicletas y iluminación.
• Una ruta alternativa para que los residentes de Coastside abandonen HMB en situaciones de emergencia.
A Safe Community Needs:
• An emergency plan for all members of the Half Moon Bay Coastside Community
• More bike paths and lighting
• An alternate route for the residents of the Coastside to leave Half Moon Bay in emergency situations
• Un plan de emergencia para todos los miembros de la comunidad de HMB Coastside.
• Más carriles de bicicletas y iluminación.
• Una ruta alternativa para que los residentes de Coastside abandonen HMB en situaciones de emergencia.
A Safe Community Needs:
• An emergency plan for all members of the Half Moon Bay Coastside Community
• More bike paths and lighting
• An alternate route for the residents of the Coastside to leave Half Moon Bay in emergency situations
“Many Cultures, one CommUNITY” ©2017 Ellen Silva
Size: 16' x 4', acrylic on MDO Board
Directed by: Ellen Silva with Half Moon Bay Community
Location: ALAS, Latino Cultural Arts and Social Center, Half Moon Bay
Size: 16' x 4', acrylic on MDO Board
Directed by: Ellen Silva with Half Moon Bay Community
Location: ALAS, Latino Cultural Arts and Social Center, Half Moon Bay
"We As Sisters Shine Together” ©2012 Ellen Silva
Size/Medium: 4' x 8', acrylic on MDO board
Directed by: Ellen Silva with HIV Positive Clients
Location: W.O.R.L.D. (Women Organized to Respond to Life-Threatening Illness), Oakland, CA
Size/Medium: 4' x 8', acrylic on MDO board
Directed by: Ellen Silva with HIV Positive Clients
Location: W.O.R.L.D. (Women Organized to Respond to Life-Threatening Illness), Oakland, CA
"Half Moon Bay-Our Community” ©2012 Ellen Silva
Size/Medium: 4' x 8', acrylic on MDO board
Directed by: Ellen Silva with adult artists in Half Moon Bay Recreation Mural Class
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA
Size/Medium: 4' x 8', acrylic on MDO board
Directed by: Ellen Silva with adult artists in Half Moon Bay Recreation Mural Class
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA
"Love Everlasting” ©2012 Ellen Silva
Size/Medium: 4' x 16', acrylic on MDO board
Directed by: Ellen Silva with surviving families and friends of Milanca and her son, Javier
Location: University Village, Albany, CA
Size/Medium: 4' x 16', acrylic on MDO board
Directed by: Ellen Silva with surviving families and friends of Milanca and her son, Javier
Location: University Village, Albany, CA
"Field of Dreams" ©2012 Ellen Silva
6’ x 4’ acrylic on MDO board
Design/Direction: Ellen Silva with HMB for Little League National P.A.L. Mentoring Day Educational Project/Smith Field Dedication,with Half Moon Bay Recreation Dept.
Location: Smith Field Dedication, Half Moon Bay
6’ x 4’ acrylic on MDO board
Design/Direction: Ellen Silva with HMB for Little League National P.A.L. Mentoring Day Educational Project/Smith Field Dedication,with Half Moon Bay Recreation Dept.
Location: Smith Field Dedication, Half Moon Bay
“Nueva Esperanza de Vivir" (A New Hope for Living) - ©2011 Ellen Silva
Size: 16' x 4', acrylic on MDO board
Directed by: Ellen Silva and Belinda Arriaga
Location: Golden Gate Fields, Albany, CA
Size: 16' x 4', acrylic on MDO board
Directed by: Ellen Silva and Belinda Arriaga
Location: Golden Gate Fields, Albany, CA
Description
Ellen partnered with Licsensed Therapist Belinda Hernandex Arriaga to create hope and community. For seven weeks, workers at Golden Gate Fields were given the opportunity to tell their stories by collaborating on a mural that hangs in the recreation room in the stable area. Around 40 of the workers contributed. The results are impressive. Many of the workers come from a culture that inhibits talking about feelings. It was for this reason that artist Ellen Silva joined forces with Belinda Hernandez Arriaga, a licensed clinical social worker at UC Berkeley, to provide an outlet for the (mostly) Latino men who live and work at the racetrack.
The finished mural is called, "La Nueva Esperanza de Vivir," which translates as, "A New Hope for Living." The approximately 4' by 16' work was assembled from three sections. It was hung during a celebration on Monday, April 18.
Los Centzontles, a California-based Mexican band, performed for the grooms as part of the celebration of the mural's completion. More…
The finished mural is called, "La Nueva Esperanza de Vivir," which translates as, "A New Hope for Living." The approximately 4' by 16' work was assembled from three sections. It was hung during a celebration on Monday, April 18.
Los Centzontles, a California-based Mexican band, performed for the grooms as part of the celebration of the mural's completion. More…
"It's a Small World" ©2010 Ellen Silva
Size: 16' x 4', acrylic on MDO board
Directed by: Ellen Silva and Belinda Arriaga with 9 families from Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Indoniesia, Korea, Mexico, and Nicaragua
Location: University Village, UC Berkeley campus in Albany, CA
Size: 16' x 4', acrylic on MDO board
Directed by: Ellen Silva and Belinda Arriaga with 9 families from Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Indoniesia, Korea, Mexico, and Nicaragua
Location: University Village, UC Berkeley campus in Albany, CA
Description
In June 2010, Ellen Silva met with Belinda Hernandez Arriaga (LCSW at University Village), to schedule a 7-session mural project with families of UC Berkeley students residing in University Village, Albany, CA. They together to created a mural that expresses their experience of being new in the Bay Area from their native country .
During the first meeting with Ellen and Belinda , they expressed a need for a mural about friendship and their roots. They eventually agreed upon a "small world" theme for the overall concept. Next they sketched the ideas that came out of their discussion. Ellen composed their drawings and they inked in the drawing. Ellen transferred the gridded drawing to mural board, then the group began to paint.
The entire mural project took two weeks to complete, seven 5-hour sessions in all. Most of the participants (ages 5 to 50) had never painted before. The results are amazing!
The Dedication Celebration included food brought by everyone, and music, played by Ellen and some of the families.
During the first meeting with Ellen and Belinda , they expressed a need for a mural about friendship and their roots. They eventually agreed upon a "small world" theme for the overall concept. Next they sketched the ideas that came out of their discussion. Ellen composed their drawings and they inked in the drawing. Ellen transferred the gridded drawing to mural board, then the group began to paint.
The entire mural project took two weeks to complete, seven 5-hour sessions in all. Most of the participants (ages 5 to 50) had never painted before. The results are amazing!
The Dedication Celebration included food brought by everyone, and music, played by Ellen and some of the families.
"Visiones de Esperanza-Visions of Hope" ©2006 Ellen Silva
Size: 16' x 4', Acrylic on MDO boards
Directed by: Ellen Silva and Belinda Arriaga
Location: Puente Resource Center, Pescadero
Size: 16' x 4', Acrylic on MDO boards
Directed by: Ellen Silva and Belinda Arriaga
Location: Puente Resource Center, Pescadero
Description
Las Madre’s Mural: Our Journey
Ten women from Pescadero went on a journey of discovery. They have created a mural about their unique stories of pain,
immigration, acculturation, and isolation. On the other side, what came out were camaraderie, support, laughter, kinship and hope.
The women come from different experiences. For this group, this was the first time sharing their stories and expressing themselves
through art. They participated in a five-week-workshop, two-hour sessions per week led by Ellen Silva (Muralist), July Ugas, (Art
Therapist), and Belinda Arriaga, (PIP coordinator at Puente Resource Center). This project is one of the many that the Madres Project,
sponsored by Bella Vista Foundation provided through out the year.
The women were able to accomplish this task by having coordinated effort of providing service to their children. The children created a mural of their own with Norka Bayley, pre-school teacher, Norma Zavala, children program staff, and Dinora Gudino, children program staff. Also, we had a group of high school students: Gabriela Flores, Cristina Salgado, Ricardo Cabrera and Chloe Talbot who were instrumental in having the project run smoothly. Rita Mancera, community builder was the liaison between the staff and the parents.
We are very proud of witnessing the brave and creative work that these women accomplished. And we are looking forward to seeing
them move to the next step of their journeys, and if they let us, we will be there to see it happen.
Ten women from Pescadero went on a journey of discovery. They have created a mural about their unique stories of pain,
immigration, acculturation, and isolation. On the other side, what came out were camaraderie, support, laughter, kinship and hope.
The women come from different experiences. For this group, this was the first time sharing their stories and expressing themselves
through art. They participated in a five-week-workshop, two-hour sessions per week led by Ellen Silva (Muralist), July Ugas, (Art
Therapist), and Belinda Arriaga, (PIP coordinator at Puente Resource Center). This project is one of the many that the Madres Project,
sponsored by Bella Vista Foundation provided through out the year.
The women were able to accomplish this task by having coordinated effort of providing service to their children. The children created a mural of their own with Norka Bayley, pre-school teacher, Norma Zavala, children program staff, and Dinora Gudino, children program staff. Also, we had a group of high school students: Gabriela Flores, Cristina Salgado, Ricardo Cabrera and Chloe Talbot who were instrumental in having the project run smoothly. Rita Mancera, community builder was the liaison between the staff and the parents.
We are very proud of witnessing the brave and creative work that these women accomplished. And we are looking forward to seeing
them move to the next step of their journeys, and if they let us, we will be there to see it happen.