Mural Paints a Victory for Free Expression Cause : Board sends message by reversing school art veto

“Peace Please.” That’s what the children at Washington Elementary School--and their parents--wanted their rainbow mural to say.

It’s the sentiment in the hearts of most San Diegans, especially those with family or friends in the Persian Gulf. And it’s on the lips of world leaders making last-minute attempts to end the war.

But the innocent message almost proved too controversial for the drab walls of the grade school near downtown San Diego, precisely because of the Persian Gulf War.

The dedication of the artwork was to be made on Jan. 14, the day before the United Nations deadline for Iraq to pull out of Kuwait.

And Washington Principal Cecelia Fernandez, backed by the school district’s attorney, was concerned that the mural would be seen as a political statement, not an artistic one. So she canceled the project.

Those prewar days were tense. So, some concern about the timing of the art project was, perhaps, understandable. But canceling it was overkill.

Fortunately, the school board overruled district administrators, and the mural will be allowed to proceed.

The mural was part of the innovative, $3.75-million Young at Art program--funded by philanthropist Muriel Gluck--in which artists work with students on projects intended both to teach art fundamentals and to provide the schools with a permanent piece of art.

One of the fundamentals of art is freedom of expression. But, at Washington, and at some other schools, the lesson being taught is the political realities of public art: What’s art to one person can be offensive to others.

It’s been played out nationally during the debate over funding of the National Endowment for the Arts. It has halted the Port District’s well-funded public art program. And when the principal at Ericson Elementary ordered changes in that school’s mural, the artist sued.

The school board approval of the “Peace Please” mural sent a message that it values artistic freedom.

It also showed important support for parents who took the time to be involved in the school mural, then were ignored when the decision to cancel was being made. But the board and Supt. Tom Payzant should think long and hard before approving a central review process for future art projects.

The unwarranted concerns of a few nervous principals might be overcome. But in general, review processes tend to rob art rather than nurture it.

A centralized review process also could clash with the district’s efforts to give schools greater autonomy, a very important element in revitalizing the public school system. A clear message from the board and the administration supporting artistic freedom and a selection process that involves students, teachers and parents, should be sufficient.

Sure, some controversy may erupt. But the debate that accompanies controversy is a valuable part of education--and a nutrient for stronger schools and better art.