Soledad unveils new inspirational mural Wednesday afternoon
Jeanette Bent
SOLEDAD, Calif. (KION-TV) — The City of Soledad celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday to unveil the city’s newest public art installation at Aerial Apparatus Bay on Monterey Street.
The city saying that the artwork is to commemorate Soledad’s “rich identity and heritage and serves as a vibrant tribute to the dedication, courage, and service of the City’s first responders.”
Supervisor Chris Lopez, who awarded the City a $40,000 grant to help fund the mural, said “Public art is a reflection of who we are as a community; it tells our story, honors our values, and brings people together. The Soledad Fire Apparatus Bay mural is a perfect example of how creativity and collaboration can transform a space into something meaningful for all who pass by.”
Lopez attributing the mural’s location on the new fire apparatus bay to first responders’ sacrifice and service to the communities in the past, current, and future.
The mural was designed and created by three artists: Brenda Scettrini Saglio, Paul Richmond, and Briden Cole Schueren, with a lot of community input. The city saying that it is meant to weave together themes of cultural diversity, Soledad’s past, present, and future, while honoring the vital role of local first responders within our community.
“Our public safety professionals are the backbone of Soledad. This mural is a powerful reminder of their courage, sacrifice, and daily commitment to keeping our community safe. It is also a symbol of the deep respect and gratitude we hold for those who serve,” said Anna Velazquez, Mayor of Soledad.
“There are a few Easter eggs imbedded in the piece as well that make it special and heartfelt,” wrote Supervisor Chris Lopez in a Facebook post. “A tribute to the women who sacrificed so much, working in the sun stooped over so we could stand tall, so our children could fly.”