[Kosrae Campus] New Undersea Mural in Lelu

Tofol, Kosrae (May 27, 2019) -- A scenic mural has taken shape on the Diaz Bridge since late April in Lelu, the capital of Kosrae. It celebrates the underwater wonderland that surrounds the island, often hidden from view in our daily lives.

The project has been the principal effort of the College’s Kosrae Campus and Bank of Guam, along with others in the local community. The 88-foot long wall would have been too daunting to fill with bright fishes and sea creatures if not for community effort.

Both current and past students of the college’s art class took part in the painting. Others helped to direct traffic around the work zone or apply the base coat to prepare the wall.

“When I see that we can do this, I wonder what else we can do,” said one student.

“This was the best time I’ve had doing something for a class,” added several others.

A few of the students were reluctant to join in, but said they got their courage to pick up a brush when they were able to do it together.

It seems that the Kosraean people are highly approving of the beautification effort. Support has been given in forms of horns honking, and passersby wave and shout in Kosraean, “Kahto!” (beautiful). Others stop to take photos or offer snacks and drinks to the workers.

“I like how the mural is like a natural speed bump,” observed one student. People used to drive too fast through here, but now they slow down to see the paintings.”

And then there’s public art in the era of the selfie. A lot of people around the world are already seeing the paintings on social media, according to several students.

Community members were instrumental in the design research. Martin Selch from Aquaculture Kosrae provided images and information about the small local reef fish and giant clams, his specialties. Bruno Ned from Marine Resources provided posters of food fish from the reef and deep water. Maria Stephens from Pacific Tree Lodge Resort lent underwater scenes of local corals and sea creatures. Local artist Jun from Kosrae Arts Center, along with Nobu Nena and Hans Skilling also helped with scenic painting.

A staff member of Kosrae Campus said his young daughter asked him to stop at the bridge so she could check the fishes she helped her mother to paint. Kids come by after school to watch the painting in progress. The little ones like to walk alongside the mural, touching each creature along the way.

The underlying reason in taking up the project was to inspire the next generation with the beauty of their island and make them think about what they could do next.

For More Information:
Mary Sigrah, Art Instructor
College of Micronesia-FSM, Kosrae Campus
msigrah@comfsm.fm | mksigrah@gmail.com