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Local News

Friday, August 14, 2009

Artist has plenty of helpers
Reineke Family Dealerships - Upper Sandusky
By MICHELLE REITER

STAFF WRITER

MILLER CITY -- Oscar Velasquez says murals are not just pretty pictures: they are geometric, mathematical and precise.

Each square of the mural is measured, and each section of the painting is planned.

"We're not just painting landscapes," he said of himself and the group of about 20 migrant kids who painted a mural in Miller City. "We had a couple of sessions with mathematics, learning how to scale down the wall."

It is the second year that the summer class of migrant kids at St. Nicholas School in Miller City has worked on a mural, measuring about100 feet long and 18 feet high.

This year's mural is a picture of a pastoral setting that includes a 16-foot fountain and St. Nicholas Catholic Church, and spans most of the south side of Miller City's Wenzinger Meat Processing building.

It's one of dozens of murals Velasquez has painted in the area, but for most of the kids, it is their first.

And talent is not as necessary as effort.

"If they have a good work ethic, it works out well," Velasquez said. "You find out quick who is a good worker and who can comprehend (instructions) easily."

Kids with more talent get the tougher, more intricate painting jobs; others can work on filling in color, or helping with a myriad of other jobs involved with creating a painting of that scale.

The students ranged in age from about 12 to 18, and most travel with their parents as they follow migrant jobs.

Some of them arrived before school let out, so summer classes at St. Nicholas School help them keep from falling behind.

They study academic subjects, but they also help Velasquez paint the mural.

Oscar Lopez, a teenager living in Leipsic, painted the white columns in the mural.

"When I was in kindergarten I started painting," he said. "I have learned a lot from Oscar."

Their teacher, Karen Maas, said she talked to the kids about what the mural will mean to the community, and to them.

"I tell them, 'Someday your great-grandkids will be able to see this,'" she said.

Using art in education helps kids learn to open up and express themselves, Maas said, which could help them in many areas of life.

And getting a chance to watch a piece of art unfold is not bad for the teachers, either.

The mural "is so amazing," she said. "It starts out as just blocks of paint and ends up as something beautiful."

The wall is not all Velasquez hopes to transform when he teaches kids. He also wants to teach them skills and present them with options.

After all, Velasquez started out as a migrant worker, too, and left that life to establish roots and become an artist.

He graduated from the Cooper School of Art in Cleveland, and has since authored books and articles about his art; has worked on movie sets and has painted murals throughout the country and northwest Ohio, including Findlay.

He loves to paint, but he also loves to watch kids learn and progress.

"I'll look at those kids and see myself," he said.

Reiter: 419-427-8497,

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2 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
Francisco A. Espinoza wrote:
picture
“ Do you have a ppicture of the mural?
Thanks. ”
Friday, August 14, 2009 11:45:06 AM
jess wrote:
Artist
“ Thank you, Mr Velasquez for your interest in teaching work ethics and other valuable lessons to the youth you are helping in this endeavor. I'm sure there will be some budding artists discovering themselves as well. Great work!! ”
Friday, August 14, 2009 11:12:25 AM
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A trip to Washington, D.C. that Findlay and Ottawa officials were planning to make this week has been postponed because of the inclement weather.

Findlay Mayor Pete Sehnert said officials have rescheduled the trip for Feb. 23 to meet with a lobbying group and congressional representatives regarding federal spending on flood control projects.

Fostoria requires clearing sidewalks
FOSTORIA -- Fostoria residents are responsible for removing snow and ice from sidewalks within 12 hours of a storm, according to police Capt. Patrick Brooks.

The city code covers residential owners or tenants, and business owners of properties which abut a sidewalk.

An offense is a minor misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $100. Each day constitutes a separate offense.

Library in Forest reschedules event
FOREST -- Because of the expected inclement weather, the Forest-Jackson Public Library has rescheduled its Valentine luncheon planned for Thursday to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18.

Reservations are required. Anyone with questions can call the library at 419-273-2400.

Disc golf tourney set for Saturday
The Ray Heverling Charity Ice Bowl Tournament has been rescheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Riverbend Recreation Area, off Ohio 568 east of Findlay.

Registration begins at noon.

The tournament was canceled last Saturday because of a snowstorm.

The Disc Golf Community Association, in cooperation with the Hancock Park District, sponsors the event. Proceeds go to the Family Center of Findlay-Hancock County.

For more information contact Nathan Buck at p_nate@thecatalystcc.com or 419-306-7405. Entry fee is $20. Additional donations are accepted.

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Crime Of The Week
Findlay/Hancock County Crime Stoppers is looking for information about a break-in at the Arlington Pharmacy, 200 Main St., at 12:51 a.m. Dec. 28.

A glass pane in the front door of the business was shattered, and entry was made. Once inside, the perpetrators took prescription medications and fled on foot.

Two white males were seen running from the business. The males were possibly in their late teens to early 20s, and possibly entered a vehicle.

People with information about this or any other crime that would lead to an arrest or indictment will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Crime Stoppers can be called weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 419-425-TIPS or 419-425-8477. Callers can remain anonymous.

The Web site is www.hancockcrimestoppers.org.