KING CITY — Members and friends of the nonprofit group King City in Bloom gathered Friday afternoon to celebrate the completion of the new mural at 122 N. Second St., across from the Hartnell College campus.
The mural, which features Mission San Antonio de Padua, was designed and led by Gloria Sanchez of King City.
Sanchez is a King City High School graduate and a recent graduate of San Jose State University, where she received a degree in digital media art. She worked on earlier murals in King City while learning from artist Jennifer Beebe Hargrove.
On hand at the June 7 ribbon-cutting ceremony was Joan Steele, administrator of Mission San Antonio de Padua. She gave thanks to the group for helping preserve the history of the mission that dates back to 1771.
The mural was financed by individual donors, whose names are listed in bricks on the mural, and a grant from the Arts Council for Monterey County.
Money raised beyond the cost of the mural was shared with the Campaign for the Preservation of Mission San Antonio de Padua, which works to fund the historic preservation of the mission located near Jolon in South Monterey County. King City in Bloom treasurer Janet Buttgereit gave a $7,000 check to Steele for the Campaign.
Sanchez was assisted by three other King City High School graduates: Daysi Cuellar of King City, a recent San Jose State University graduate with a degree in digital media art; Heidy Torres of King City, a recent San Jose State University graduate with a degree is studio art; and Bryan Valdez of King City, a Hartnell College student studying studio art.
Also assisting with the mural was Tessa Rava of King City, who graduated from Santa Catalina School in Monterey.
All the artists were honored with certificates from the City of King City, presented by City Councilmember Rob Cullen.
Also on hand for the event was Norma Harless, who is the owner of the building, as well as Jacquie Atchison, executive director of Arts4MC.
King City in Bloom member Kim Schmidt was the organizer of the mural, assisted by Buttgereit. They worked with President Allie Cullen and other King City in Bloom members to bring the project to life.
