Graduating Students Create Funk Zone Murals

Half-a-dozen murals made their public debut last week in the Funk Zone as graduating students with Santa Barbara High School’s Visual Arts & Design Academy (VADA) unveiled mixed-media-on-plywood panels developed in concert with resident artists Chelsea Locatelli and Michael Matheson (pictured). “This was kinda their senior project,” said Locatelli, explaining that students utilized spray cans, acrylics, metallic paints, and a Xerox transfer technique to apply their personal touches to each 8’x8′ panel. For the next six months at least, the work will be on display along the security gates for the business at 137 Anacapa Street, best viewed before 11 a.m. while the gates are still closed and facing the sidewalk. Last year’s murals will soon be available for auction through VADA’s website (vadasbhs.org), with proceeds benefiting the program.