Joy
Dancing in joyful celebration, five figures express sheer delight in a tree-rimmed garden of vibrant flowers. The mural’s metal frame seems unable to contain their explosion of happiness. On the park-facing wall of the Cultural Arts Center at 4477 Black Avenue, the Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council’s inspiring donation naturally brings a welcome smile to those who enter the building. Like the companion artwork “Gentle Beauty” on this wall, Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council (PCAC) “encourages, supports, and promotes the Arts in our schools and the Pleasanton community to reflect our cultural diversity and inspire all.”
The design of the mural is attributed to Judith Kunzle who studied human anatomy to learn the natural flow of moving dancers. Judith worked with leading dance studios in San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Bern (Switzerland), and Auckland (New Zealand). Kunzle strives for movement explaining, “Dance unites us by bridging cultural gaps and transcending traditions”. Currently, Judith is in Switzerland. Vera Lowdermilk was contracted to paint the design and bring the vision to reality.
Vera Lowdermilk was tasked to artistically represent human connectivity, positive energy, and appreciation for nature. Vera first sketched the figures onto the blank canvas to breathe life into their playful strength. An accomplished mural artist, she used foreground and background colors to accentuate movement. The bright colors of the dancer’s outfits magnify the gaiety of the dance as their bare feet kick in exhilaration. The dancers share happiness with each other, inviting the viewer to participate. The golden flowerbed studded with orange and blue flowers grounds the image in a lush parade of color. The tree foliage becomes the background curtain for playfulness.
Vera’s artistic talent was evident at age 4 when the stairwell leading to her second-floor room became her canvas for an Amalfi Coast landscape. Her love of mural art has not diminished over time. A stunning Firehouse Mural is on First Street in Livermore; the Livermore Tri-Valley Car Care mural is on Railroad Ave. Both murals create 3-D wonderous depth that defies an irregular textured wall. Lowdermilk has created murals throughout the Bay Area for private clients and public spaces. Her artistry is both imaginative and accurate to the smallest detail.
Joy is the result of the Pleasanton Cultural Arts grant 2021-22 “Rebuilding Community Through Art” funded by the Pleasanton Civics Arts Commission and installed in 2023. The vision was to inspire a dialogue about public art to stir the heart and rebuild the collective fabric of our community damaged by pandemic isolation. Vera Lowdermilk was determined to faithfully fulfill the vision of Judith Kunzle. Vera’s success is measured by your growing smile as you happily view her work. It is time to let your heart dance!
Jan Coleman-Knight