20141010-172902_ by Patricia Quandel

Collaboration & Success!

The Tank Art Project reached its culmination in October 10, 2014, marking a significant milestone in collaboration between the community and the Joshua Basin Water District (JBWD). Spearheaded in partnership with the Chaparral Artists and the Yucca Valley High School Art Club, this initiative has transformed a mundane water tank of Joshua Tree into a canvas of artistic expression.

The inaugural tank, situated behind the Water-Wise Garden at the JBWD office on Cholita, serves as a beacon of creativity and community pride. Under the guidance of Chaparral Artists, students from the Yucca Valley High School Art Club delved into the world of mural painting.

The project unfolded over several days, commencing with meticulous preparations led by the Chaparral Artists on October 6th and 7th. These sessions equipped the students with essential skills and knowledge about mural painting techniques, surface preparation, and the nuances of translating ideas, manageable paper sketches, onto a large-scale canvas.

The initial strokes of paint began to adorn the tank on October 8th, as students, fueled by enthusiasm and creativity, worked diligently from 2:30 pm to 5 pm each day. Amidst the layering of paint and blossoming designs, the students not only contributed to the artistic landscape of Joshua Tree but also honed their craft, nurturing their individual artistic voices.

As the final brushstrokes were laid upon the metal of the tank, a sense of accomplishment permeated the air, amplified by the shared laughter and camaraderie among the students. To celebrate this remarkable achievement, a reception was held on October 11th, serving as a platform to honor the dedication and talent of all the participating artists.

October 6

Preparing the site & Priming the 'canvas'

Over the course of two days, dedicated volunteers from the Chaparral Artists diligently readied the site for the upcoming mural project. Their efforts involved clearing weeds, eliminating any obstacles that could impede both vehicles and painters, and meticulously cleaned the designated area on the tank, which would serve as the canvas for the artwork. A 10'x10' section was primed with a base coat of white, laying the foundation for planned colors and fun designs to come to life.

October 7

October 8

Paints and brushes and smiles

The Yucca Valley High School Art Club collaborated with the Chaparral Artists, under the guidance of Krista Wargo, their art instructor. Throughout the project, Chaparral Artists provided support to the students, imparting knowledge about the intricacies of mural creation, as well as the essential steps of preparation and painting. The collaboration fostered artistic growth and during breaks, discussion included the development of personal art portfolios for the students.

Coordinated activities took place on the 8th and 9th, with each day dedicated to painting sessions interspersed with learning and idea-sharing opportunities. From 2:30 pm to 5 pm, students took turns honing their skills on the large 'canvas' of the water tank, culminating each session with a delightful spread of pizza and sandwiches. The days brimmed with creativity and camaraderie among the participants.

October 9

Success and Recpetion

Once the final embellishments adorned the tank, the gates were securely closed to safeguard the newly completed artwork. The following day, a reception was hosted to commemorate the fruitful collaboration. Taking place on October 11th at the Joshua Basin Water District office, the reception warmly welcomed the esteemed students who contributed to the project. It served as a joyous occasion to celebrate the culmination of artistic efforts and the spirit of community collaboration that brought the mural to life.

Writeup! Youth Art Show 2019