WVC at Omak mural dedication set for Nov. 3

The dedication of a new mural at Wenatchee Valley College at Omak will take place on Thursday, Nov. 3, at 11:30 a.m. in the courtyard at the WVC at Omak campus. This event is free and open to the public.

The WVC at Omak student government funded the mural and selected Tania Gonzalez Ortega from Carlton, Wash., to do the artwork. A mural committee was established that included WVC at Omak students Jessica Wilson, Raul Luna, Lauren Ingram, Kevin Cain, Ebony Patterson and Angel Castaneda. The committee worked closely with the Omak Campus Coordinating Council and President’s Cabinet to finalize the project.

“I had the best time working with the mural committee and the artist,” said committee member Lauren Ingram. “We all worked hard to come up with the perfect idea, and I think we nailed it. This is a legacy from our terms in office that the college and students can enjoy for years to come.”

Artwork began in July and the mural was completed in September. The mural features scenes from the Okanogan Valley and includes a quote by John Dewey, “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”

Mural committee member Jessica Wilson said, “The mural promotes diversity within our campus and our community as well as tying it into clubs and courses offered at the college.”

“The artwork is a beautiful piece that is very inclusive of our campus and surrounding community,” said Livia Millard, WVC at Omak multicultural coordinator and academic adviser.

Tania Gonzalez Ortega’s work has been included in exhibitions at the NuArt Gallery in Boston, Mass., and in shows throughout Tucson, Ariz. She holds a bachelor’s of fine arts degree from the University of California Los Angeles. Ortega will participate in the mural dedication on Nov. 3.