Historical Murals for Moreno Valley

The walkway into the Conference and Recreation Center in Moreno Valley is towering and wide. And just a few months ago it was empty. Now, decorating the entire left side of the building hang three murals. Images depicting the evolution of Moreno Valley from its start just a little over 129 years ago to its current thriving quality of life hang side-by-side in a picturesque retelling of history. The information on the city was adapted from the Moreno Valley Historical Society and “Images of America: Moreno Valley” by Kenneth M. Holtzclaw. Commissioned in 2012, the mural itself was installed in just under a year, coming to completion in January 2013. The artist Andrea Sorrell, with the help of two other Art Institute Inland Empire graduates, Joan Vasquez and Jacqueline Damian, worked tirelessly to depict Moreno Valley’s transformation throughout the years. “It was a great opportunity,” Sorrell said. “The whole experience gave me so much confidence.” The artists worked on small scale models of the project and gradually worked up towards painting the timeline of the community. As a student herself, Sorrell shared she feels gratified to know that along with the challenges faced with being an up-and-coming artist, she’s been given the opportunity to see and understand the workings of the business end of art. In 2009, the Conference and Recreation Center installed the Peace Garden that lies in front of the building. With the murals hanging in place, future plans for enlivening the area include colorful planters that welcome people. Gestures like these bring a sense of pride to the close-knit community. “The history of Moreno Valley is essential to the future of the city,” City Council Member Victoria Baca said during her speech, resonating with Moreno Valley citizens, the very people the mural has been dedicated to. The murals hang as a reminder of the “fundamental necessity of art in a person’s life” along with remembering where it all began; and how, as a community, we can continue to shape the city for the better.