Community Mural Installation at Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area

  • Event Recap
People painting a large mural on a concrete wall. Two people in the foreground, both with long hair, are adding vibrant colors to the mural, using brushes to apply blue, orange, and teal paint. The mural appears to depict a bobcat or an animal with large ears and expressive eyes. The wall has numbered sections to guide the painting process, like a large-scale paint-by-numbers artwork. In the background, two other individuals are engaged in the painting activity. Bright green leaves in the foreground frame the scene, adding a natural touch to the lively artistic environment.

Visitors reaching high to paint the mural’s bobcat at Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area. Photo by California State Parks.

The Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area hosts its annual Apple Festival every October, celebrating the harvest of the historic Cedar Springs Apple Orchard with fresh cider tastings, orchard tours, and family-friendly activities, made possible by the Mojave River Natural History Association (MRNHA). This year the community had a chance to engage with an artist in the design, development, and implementation of a mural!

In partnership with San Bernardino’s Arts Connection, the community was invited to participate in listening sessions and paint the mural alongside artist, Vanessa Gomez, who facilitated the listening sessions, designed the mural,  and engaged attendees during the community mural painting event. “With the Arts in California Parks program inviting and growing the arts, to me it’s an exciting time to be an artist,” said mural artist Vanessa Gomez. “It truly has been an inspiration to see the community come together to help bring the Silverwood Lake mural to life.  Projects like this continue to remind me how fortunate I am to be part of our beautiful California communities. I’m confident that participating in art and nature brings the best out of people by fostering happiness and health. I believe art and nature supporting overall health in our communities are going to be more essential than ever and I am excited to see where this program continues to lead into the future.”

This beautiful art installation showcases local wildlife such as black bears, bobcats, red-tailed hawks, and western bluebirds, alongside depictions of the historic apple orchard and the park’s iconic vista point scenery.

The Inland Empire District is happy to see this project come to fruition. “The process of making this mural, from the artist selection, coordination with the Arts Connection and public outreach, to the community involvement represents how we can build a bridge to the community and develop new stakeholders while creating Pathways to the Future,” said Teri Pope, Inland Empire District’s Interpretive Chief.

The image shows a table set up outdoors for a mural-painting project. A person wearing a pink shirt and black apron stands behind the table, which is covered with multiple white cups labeled with paint colors. Each cup has a black lid and appears to contain different paint colors for the mural. In the center of the table, a framed guide illustrates the mural design with labeled sections and a corresponding color chart, featuring color names like "Explorer Blue" and "Aloha Sunset."

Check-in stand for visitors seeking to participate in painting the community mural at Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area with a picture of the mural design as a guide. Photo by California State Parks.

Two people smiling while standing in front of a colorful, partially completed mural. The person on the left wears a beige shirt, olive-green pants, and a wide-brimmed hat, with a badge on the shirt indicating an affiliation with California State Parks. The person on the right wears a paint-splattered blue apron over a light-colored tank top and sunglasses. The mural behind them features a vibrant, abstract design with large shapes in blue, orange, and green, and an outline of a bobcat's face. The lighting casts soft shadows on the wall, highlighting the mural’s bright colors.

Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area’s Interpreter I Caden McWilliam and mural artist Vanessa Gomez. Photo by California State Parks.

“This mural marks a significant milestone for the park, adding much-needed character to a building that previously lacked it,” said Caden McWilliam, State Park Interpreter I and project manager, “Our Nature Center now offers a warm welcome to visitors, transforming the space into a vibrant community hub even on days the building is closed. This project has united people of all ages, from toddlers to those in their 60s and 70s, fostering a sense of togetherness like never before at Silverwood Lake. Everyone left with a smile, and they’ll be able to return and admire their contributions for years to come.”

Nearly 300 parkgoers who attended the festival enjoyed a DJ and live performance, an apple bobbing station, fresh pressed apple cider and a station for arts and crafts. Close to 55 of the 300 visitors, of all ages, participated in the mural painting! State Park staff have reported that the mural has already added a level of warmth and a welcoming atmosphere to what was described as a cold concrete building!

A group of people dispersed around a mural in progress outside a building labeled "Nature Center" with a "California State Parks" logo. The mural, painted on a curved concrete wall near the entrance, features a colorful nature scene with animals as well as abstract shapes in blue, green, orange, and brown. Some individuals are actively painting, while others stand and observe. The area is shaded by trees, and the scene has a collaborative and community-oriented atmosphere, with participants of various ages involved in the project.

Apple Fest participants adding their own creative touches to the new Nature Center mural. Photo by California State Parks.
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