3 Schools to Create Local History Mural

Art students from three local schools have begun work on an enormous mural that will transform a graffiti-plagued wall along a popular bicycle path into a colorful three-part history of this northwest Valley community.

The 300-foot-long, 10-foot-high mural is being painted by students from Lawrence Middle School, Sierra Canyon School and Chaminade College Preparatory Middle School on the back walls of several buildings along a portion of the bicycle path directly across from the Metrolink rail station.

“It’s a great art project and a great way to learn about the history of this area, but it’s also a math problem,” said Chaminade art teacher Pat Dale. “They have to learn how to take a small sketch and transfer it to a large wall.”

Each school is working on a different era of Chatsworth history. Sierra Canyon will depict the area during the time of its earliest settlers, the Chumash.

Lawrence will focus on the agricultural period between the mid-1800s and World War I.

Chaminade’s panel will take Chatsworth through the 20th century to modern times.

“We learned that this place used to be full of orange trees and that Indians came here first,” said Michele Hunt, 12, one of several Lawrence students to give up part of spring break to work on the mural.

“I love art and it’s really interesting to learn all these things about where I live,” Michele said.

The project is being supported by the Chatsworth Chamber of Commerce and the Devonshire Division Police Advisory Board. Additional help has come from City Councilman Hal Bernson, county Supervisor Mike Antonovich and the organization Mad About Rising Crime.

A local business, Graffiti Prevention Systems, will provide a graffiti-proof coating when the painting is finished.

“I’ve lived here all my life and I wanted to help make it look better. Instead of graffiti, people will see a beautiful mural,” said Khushnood Shaikh, 14, a Lawrence student. “I hope nobody messes it up because we’ve put a lot of work into it.”