SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN PAINT OUR PARKS, Sara J. González Memorial Park BY ARTIST: José Ray

Art with heart…

"Any public art project is always a special experience for me. The people are trusting you, as the artist, to represent their community. Speaking to their history, honoring their culture, and inspiring them as they move forward. All that being said, the mural at Sara J. Gonzalez park had even more depth and connection than usual. Since the mural covers the ground and flows through the space, the people are physically immersed in the work and interacting with it in a way that is very unique to this park and its design. The stories and adoration for the project poured forth from community members who all had their own unique connection to the park. I listened to their stories as I worked and let their spirit flow through and connect with each stroke of the brush. In addition to all of the reward from the community, I was honored to play a role in this special park which is the first Latino namesake park in Georgia." — Artist José Ray

Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is proud to present the university’s newest mural from the SCAD SERVE Paint Our Parks public arts initiative at Sara J. González Memorial Park in Atlanta’s Westside. SCAD SERVE Alumni Ambassador and acclaimed artist, illustrator, musician, and author José Ray (B.F.A., painting, 2011) conceptualized the creation of the park’s new vibrant showpiece, now enlivening the first public park named for a Latino in the state of Georgia.

Envisioned by SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace, SCAD SERVE’s Paint Our Parks initiative focuses on serving citizens of the university’s hometowns in Atlanta and Savannah through the creativity, expertise, and altruism of SCAD’s supremely talented network of students and alumni.

"Every work of art tells a story, and this magnificent SCAD Paint Our Parks mural tells many stories at once,” said President Wallace. “SCAD SERVE Alumni Ambassador artist José Ray—working with Sara González’ granddaughter, SCAD graphic design alum Paulina de la Valette—has created a proud and vibrant visual tribute to the beauty and entrepreneurial spirit of González and the Hispanic and Latino communities of Atlanta. Through SCAD SERVE, our Bees apply their collective genius to celebrate and improve the lives of all in our hometowns: carefully researched, flawlessly executed, and perpetually enduring."

The park’s namesake, Sara J. González, was a changemaker and tireless champion of the Hispanic community in Georgia. As a personal tribute, González’s granddaughter, accomplished SCAD graphic design alumna Paulina de la Valette assisted the artist in the creation of this intricate mural design, interweaving symbols of precious mementoes and personal effects such as jewelry, scarves, and fans. The mural captures González’s lively essence and pays homage to her proud Hispanic heritage.

"At the perfect intersection of community engagement and student opportunity, sits the SCAD Paint Our Parks initiative,” said artist José Ray. “I am truly honored as an alum to be recognized by SCAD and chosen to lead our team to bring to life this mural at Sara J. González Park. The enthusiasm and support from the community are a true testament to the positive impact of the program. It proves the power of public art to foster meaningful conversations and prompt interaction between people all along the spectrum of life. There was a strong sense that we are walking in the philanthropic footsteps of Sara J. González, for the Latino community—and beyond!”

An enthusiastic team of volunteers composed of SCAD students, faculty, and staff, as well as the family of Sara González and neighborhood community members participated in the painting of the mural. The result is an inspiring reimagined recreational space for the community at the all-abilities playground that embraces inclusivity, unity, and family.

“In service to the park's value of equity, it has been a dream of mine to bring art to the Sara J. González Memorial Park because all children deserve beauty endemic to their environments but not all have native access,” said Isabel González Whitaker, daughter of Sara González, Associate Vice President, Moms Clean Air Force and Director, EcoMadres. “Thanks to SCAD SERVE’s Paint Our Parks program, the first park in the State to be named for a Latino will now inspire a generation through the culturally affirming creative vision of artist José Ray who worked with Paulina, Sara’s granddaughter, my niece, on this design. In this vibrant work you will see reflected Sara's love of Spanish fans and colorful necklaces, the richness of our culture, and a connection made years ago now set in stone.”

SCAD is a leader in Atlanta’s dynamic arts scene. The mural at Sara J. González Park is the seventh SCAD SERVE public artwork from the Paint Our Parks initiative to be completed in Atlanta. The initiative was developed in partnership with the Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation and the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs.

Said Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), “Sara J. González Memorial Park is one of Atlanta’s most significant parks. The new community mural will make Sara J. González Memorial Park even more vibrant. Congratulations to SCAD, and SCAD alumni José Ray for a successful collaboration with the González family to create this mural which reflects the spirit of Sara J. González and the multi-cultural welcoming nature of our community!”

SCAD SERVE x Graphic design

In order to further push the boundaries of Sara J. González’s Memorial Park even further, SCAD SERVE partnered with an intro level graphic design class to help create a logo that embodied the parks principles of community, diversity, unity, and family. The class who took upon this important task all did their research, and even visited the park in order to gain as much inspiration as possible. The creator of the logo was student Kalina Richardson, her logo represented Sara as a Latinx powerhouse, mother, and role model to all. Kalina also later helped redesign the website in order to help align it with the logos style and colors, refreshing it to better represent the park. You can contact her at kalinamarie.r@gmail.com for further design inquiries.