Artistic Evolution: The Dual Murals of Lake Don Pedro Elementary School

By Erica Wolfsen –

​The landscape of Lake Don Pedro Elementary has undergone a vivid metamorphosis. What began in 2025 as a single tribute to the local ecosystem has blossomed into a dual-mural narrative, flanking the campus with imagery that is as much a product of student voice as it is of professional craft.

​A Democracy of Design
​The project’s origins trace back to a remarkably close student referendum. Tasked with choosing between two visions, the after-school cohort participated in a vote that mirrored the intensity of a high-stakes election: the final tally was  48 to 47.

​The winning design, a sprawling 40 foot panorama, brought the local wilderness to the classroom exterior. It features several larger than life vibrant purple wildflowers that are native to this area and a serene coyote (the school’s venerable mascot) gazing over rolling foothills, a meandering river and delicate insects.

​Completing the Vision
​Recognizing the impact of the first installation, the school administration approved the realization of the second design just one year later. Completed in April 2026, this companion piece serves as a “visual welcome mat” for the community. Situated prominently near the front office and visible from the street, it captures the beauty of a vibrant sunset over local lakes, framed by iconic Golden Poppies and inhabited by local wildlife.

​Fostering a “Sense of Place”
​For lead artist Erica Wolfsen, the project was a collaborative triumph. By incorporating student suggestions into the designs, and letting kids paint, the artwork has transformed the campus.

“Hearing from teachers and students that these walls now offer daily inspiration is the ultimate validation of the work,” Wolfsen notes.

​By celebrating the regional flora and fauna that students value and admire, Don Pedro Elementary has successfully turned its architecture into an enduring lesson in local pride and aesthetic wonder.