Youth Artistic Effort is Spilling out of Brushstrokes Studio and Beautifying Oroville’s River Town

The mosaic project has been a special way for Amanda to bond with her daughter, Kiley.

John Lennon astutely stated, “Every child is an artist until he’s told he’s not an artist.” Providing art instruction for children can stop negative messages midstream and the Oroville community is working hard to keep artistic potential flowing. The Artists of River Town at Brushstrokes Studio and Gallery, a nonprofit organization supporting local artists and schools, are tapping into creativity through a monumental undertaking—the Feather River Mosaic Mural Project.

Magnificent river story told through community art

Leanna Lunsford, art instructor and regional representative for the Rainforest Art Project, a partner in the mosaic project, says the Feather River Mosaic Murals are telling “the story of the magnificent river from its headwaters high in the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountains, through its dramatic journey all the way to its confluence with the Sacramento River.” This story is being told through sixty 6 ft x 18 inch, beautifully crafted mosaic panels showcasing the flora and fauna of the Feather River. Volunteers at the studio and students at local schools, including many at Prospect High School, have imagined and sketched out the various mural subjects—spiders, dragonflies, salmon, frogs, sky, water and plants.

Once completed, these murals are hung alongside Table Mountain Boulevard and participants feel a sense of satisfaction when passing by their contributions along the roadway. Dan Evers, Bill Lagrone and David Tamori first dreamed up the mural project when they saw new apartments going in along the boulevard—which meant new retaining walls. The men thought, “why not make the walls beautiful by hanging mosaics there?”

Mosaics provide children art training, legacy to remember

“The Feather River Wall on Table Mountain Boulevard is unique in both the scale and the number of kids who have participated,” Dan says. “At nearly two years into the project, we have had over a thousand participants—which must be some kind of record. Through this involvement, youngsters become proud stakeholders in their community while building their skills and confidence. Mosaics are a wonderful medium because they are extremely colorful and durable while giving many children the opportunity to participate. They will tell their kids and grandkids about their contribution to the beautification of Oroville and of their role in paying homage to one of the world’s most dramatic and spectacular rivers.”

Mural project leaders Leanna Lunsford and David Tamori warmly invite the public to “come create” each Saturday.

Brushstroke studio welcomes and inspires young artists

Amanda Gregory and daughter, Kiley, have enjoyed working on the project and Amanda echoes Dan’s words about the satisfaction of seeing something she and her daughter helped create. Amanda adds, “The studio provides a great opportunity to meet and work with people of all ages. It has been rewarding watching Kiley, who is normally shy, visit with older artists and then sit with little ones. I love watching her connect with new people and even dragging her friends along with her to the studio. Brushstrokes is a very inspiring and welcoming space.”

Completing the murals is giving budding artists like Kiley confidence. “One misconception is that art is sheer talent,” says David, Artists of River Town Studio president and volunteer instructor for the project. “I like to say that art comes from persistence. We are made to be creators but we have to put that into practice—we have to practice creating. The other volunteers and I love to help youth overcome their fears of art and then learn to be deliberate in practicing their art form.” As a visual art instructor at Oroville High School for 38 years, David knows the importance of repeated exposure to the arts.

Oroville teen Caitlin has worked regularly on the mural project for years.

Creating murals brings community members of all abilities together

Brushstrokes Studio is fortunate to have help from the Kennedy Center’s program “Ensuring the Arts for Any Given Child” to provide that repeated exposure for local children. The Kennedy Center’s goal is to assist communities in developing and implementing a plan for expanded arts education in their schools.

Through the help of many donors, the studio offers a variety of classes throughout the year as well as open hours for the mural project—every Saturday from 11am to 2pm. With plenty of eager teachers, good lighting, ample space and warm hospitality, the Brushstrokes Studio has a beautiful thing going in downtown Oroville.

“When you have a vision, you attract others,” David says. “In this case art is the vehicle of attraction and we are so glad to be drawing in the area youth. We hope all ages and abilities will keep coming to help with our murals. Don’t worry about perfection when it comes to art. That is an illusion. Diligence is what matters with these murals and all the people working together—now that’s perfection.”

Find out more by visiting Brushstrokes Studio,1967 Montgomery St, Oroville or calling 530-538-2508