Arts, Cultural Image Reaches New Heights

As part of a campaign to improve the city’s image, its landmark water tower now sports two mottoes: “Arts and Culture,” and “Education 1st.”

But officials and residents are not in accord on just how effective the project is or whether it has improved or detracted from the appearance of the 152-foot-tall tower, which is clearly visible from the Santa Ana Freeway.

For years, the tower has carried red logos with the official city motto: “Eduction 1st.” This summer, the city added green “Arts and Culture” slogans to promote the city’s fledgling Artists Village, a group of private and public buildings that officials hope will revitalize parts of the downtown.

The tower shares a French Street address with Wallace R. Davis Elementary School, where teachers said this week that they like the addition.

“I think Santa Ana sometimes gets a bad rap,” said Adriana Casas, a special-education teacher. “To see something like that makes me think people are taking more pride in the community.”

Teacher Eddie Espinosa said the two logos are a good pairing.

“It’s not too cluttered,” he said of the tower. Besides, “a part of education is the arts and culture.”

But across the street from Davis, the Juarez brothers did not appreciate the logos.

“That’s art?” asked Alfredo Juarez, 18.

Younger brother David, 16, said he thinks the new logo should be more colorful if its purpose is to promote the arts. Besides, he said, education should still be the main focus.

“I think education is first,” he said.

City Council members, too, differed over whether the second logo should be added. The plan was approved on a 5-2 vote earlier this year.

Councilman Ted R. Moreno, who believes subsidies that now go to the Artists Village should be spent on parks and street improvements instead, said the tower is now cluttered.

But Councilman Thomas E. Lutz, an Artists Village supporter, said the addition sends an important message.

“It affirms that the city of Santa Ana is alive and developing a new image for itself, “ he said.