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Roosevelt Middle School // Oceanside

Mural Artist: Lux Meteora
May 2023

This dynamic and radiant mural was created in collaboration with Mrs. Brayshaw’s advanced art class of 2023. Led and designed by Lead Artist Lux Meteora, this mural features a range of imagery from the visual and performing arts to the local natural landscape. The participating students not only painted the mural, but they also provided their ideas and vision for the final design during a series of ArtReach-led mural introduction workshops. 

As an Artful Learning school, RMS is committed to furthering its visual and performing arts education programs. This is reflected in the final mural design which predominantly features many symbols of the arts. The focal point of the mural is the dancer, who is depicted in a traditional ballet folklórico dress. This is an image that many of the students drew in their designs, and it draws a connection to the ballet folklórico rehearsals and performances that take place right in front of the mural space. It also connects to the bold red curtain on the left side of the mural, which directly represents theater/drama, but also frames the stage of every student’s world. The stars in the sky are a reminder to pursue one’s dreams and the flowing staff lines, musical notes, and instruments connect directly to the importance of RMS choir and band programs. The movement of the staff lines that connect to the movement of the dancer serves to represent the connection that the arts form between each other. Dancing, singing, acting, playing music, painting – when done together – the connections formed are transformational and can be for life.

In addition to the arts, students and staff emphasized the importance of the natural world in their design input, which Lux brought to life through her depiction of Guajome Regional Park and the local wildlife surrounding it: a peaceful ibis, the fluttering hummingbird, and the soaring golden eagle. Marigolds and California poppies are scattered throughout, and stretching across the sky, a stream of rainbow stripes serves to represent students of the LGBTQ+ community. Combining the excitement and movement of the performing arts with the peaceful elements of the natural world, this mural can inspire students to find their own inner artistic outlet through self expression and community connection.