A multi-paneled gift

Deirdre Newman

For the members of the Newport Beach YMCA, it is a vibrant backdrop

for their pool area.

For students from Santiago Creek School in Santa Ana, which serves

teenagers with social and academic problems, it is a cathartic emblem of

artistic expression.

The 16-panel mural that now hangs at YMCA shows off fanciful scenes of

marine life, including purple fish with yellow tails, a red and yellow

pinwheel shellfish with a pink and white fish swimming by and a large

octopus.

The mural was installed last week at the YMCA, and for many of the

students it was the first time they got a chance to work on something as

a team and give something concrete to the community.

“I never participated in one of these things before,” senior Nick

Garcia said. “Now I feel great.”

The students started working on the colorful seascape more than a year

ago, said Cyndie Borcoman, a Newport Beach resident who teaches at the

school.

Volunteer Joni Herman nurtured the students’ artistic muses throughout

the process. Herman, who has provided artistic expertise to such

luminaries as Kenny G and Rod Stewart, said working with the Santiago

students gave “meaning and soul” to her other work.

“I know how much courage it took to take a risk and put something out

there that could be judged,” Herman said. “It’s remarkable because [the

students] come from such difficult circumstances.”

The students looked to books and magazines for inspiration. Nick said

he got the idea for the pinwheel fish in a book. Senior Jose Simon, who

worked on the octopus, said he enjoyed the opportunity to use a

paintbrush for the first time.

“Usually, I use colored pencils,” Jose said. “I wanted to make it like

a fantasy, so I added some bright colors.”

Junior Alberto Gomez said it took him three months to paint two large

sea turtles. Alberto, who said he got into a lot of trouble when he was

younger and once was stabbed so badly he almost died, said art has always

provided an outlet for his creativity.

“When I was a little kid, art was the best thing to do because I

wasn’t good at anything else,” Alberto said.

Charlie Lush, maintenance operator for the YMCA, said he was impressed

with the students’ artistic skills.

“It’s just gorgeous. Look at what this has done for the whole area.

It’s turned a drab area into a piece of art,” Lush said.

The panel will eventually be covered with a seal to protect it from

the water splashed by swimmers and maybe even speckled with some

“metallic, glittery stuff to make it more reflective and add another

dimension,” said John Cullinan, another school volunteer.

As the students were reveling in their artistic achievement, Herman

was already looking ahead, talking to Lush about her students painting

additional murals for the weight and aerobics rooms.

* Deirdre Newman covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at o7 deirdre.newman@latimes.comf7 .