Mural brings whimsy to MDES garden

Thanks to a new mural, the Mt. Diablo Elementary School garden is not only a place where kids can learn about nature – it’s a place to stretch their imaginations.

“It’s fun to see the kids put their hands up on the gigantic radishes. It’s like this overgrown forest of plants, so the kids are almost fairy-size,” says parent Kristin Descalzo.

Working with garden coordinator Laney Cline King, Descalzo came up with the mural concept. “It has this perspective of not just a garden – but what it’s like underground, with worms, ants and gophers,” says Descalzo.
A group of volunteers – ranging from second-graders to high schoolers and grandmas – got together in early November to paint. At 33 feet long and 7 feet high, the mural makes a big statement on the Clayton campus.

“Our school is so much more beautiful because of your efforts,” noted King, who leads beautification efforts on the campus.

Another recent project involved members of Boy Scout Troop 262, who created a willow tunnel structure on the kindergarten playground. Meanwhile, local artist Connie English is working on another mosaic mural for the front of the school. Her previous floral mosaic is outside the school office.

“Laney is the driving force behind making all these wonderful things happen,” Descalzo says. “Our school campus is so much more colorful and fun because of her.”