"Unity in the Community"
Welcome to the
Teralta Park Community Mural
The mural has been a passion project for about five years and probably six by completion. There have been countless community meetings, meetings with City and State (CalTrans) staff, artists and Sake in particular, San Diego Cultural Arts Alliance, the City Heights Town Council, and deliberations with each other to make sure we were on target and on task.
A big thank you to Sake for starting this project and his dedication to the story, meaning, and facial details.
Current Artists
The team of Karl and Melody have taken over painting from the direction of Sake
Karl Gindelberger
Artist (@gmonikart)
The art of Karl. Forged in the streets of sunny San Diego. In first grade, he received an award for best monster drawing outclassing fellow students. This would be the catalyst of his art journey. In junior high he played the clarinet and trombone in band which made him unpopular amongst his peers. These experiences would help form a base to tap into the artistic word. To get away from high school gangs, he learned the skills of martial arts and practiced sword dancing with his precious dog Japper. After graduating from community college, he learned and practiced many other forms of artistic skills such as pottery, life drawing, tattooing and block printing. His passion for filmmaking started after watching a commercial on tv for film school. With a love of kungfu Grindhouse films, he created and directed a student film "The Night Boys", a story about a young graffiti artist. The film was featured at the San Diego Asian Film Festival and Oxnard Film Festival. Karl’s move to China lead him to explore more in depth the Asian culture. This helped create and launch his art brand GMONIK. His artistic skills were showcased in galleries throughout China, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Mexico, and La Jolla. He has sold countless pieces of art and a variety of toys, stickers, hats, t-shirts, and posters with his images at various conventions in California. He is currently working on large mural projects and passionately focused on publishing his comic novel. @gmonikart
Melody De Los Cobos
Artist (@chicanalilly)
Melody De Los Cobos is a mixed media artist, muralist, curator, and community event organizer. As the organization Love City Height’s Artistic Director, Melody has created and helped organize many murals within San Diego. Born and raised in San Diego, she is well known among her private collectors, curators and fellow artists. Her skills of construction with corn husk and eggshells in three-dimensional works of art have made her a must-see artist. She draws inspiration from her Mexican heritage and Chicana experience as a first generation born American, to create vibrant and unique pieces. Melody’s love of texture and color allows her to find creative inspiration in everything life visually presents in her path and the emotions of her life experiences. Her work has been exhibited in countless art shows all over San Diego. Her curatorial work includes special art events, group art shows, and solo art exhibitions for her fellow artists. She co-curates visual and live arts for the San Diego Latino Film Festival which this year she will lead for the 30th anniversary. Melody has been a guest speaker at many schools and groups to share her experience as a female artist, organizer, and small business owner. @chicanalilly
Team
Dedicated volunteers who spent countless hours making this mural more than an idea. A super talented artist making unbelievable color and caricatures showcasing City Heights and its diversity.
It is more than the City Heights Town Council, this really is about a community project and dedication.
Dan Tomsky
Non-profit connector and Community Leader
Coming Soon
Maria Cortez
Teralta and City Heights Community Leader
Coming Soon
Taylor McDonald
City Heights Town Council Chairperson
Taylor is a community advocate, business development specialist, supporting artists and murals, and collaborated on local events. Taylor has a desire for Teralta Park to be utilized more for community activities. What better way to jumpstart the park with an amazing mural showcasing City Height's diverse people and history. This mural has been challenging to make happen but will be worthwhile to see how many people enjoy it for years to come.
Edwin Lohr
Mid City Ambassador
Edwin has been working with the community for the past five years on the Teralta Mural. Sometimes it is a lot harder than it appears to get a public mural. There are many regularizations associated with a project of this magnitude. In the end, it is so well worth it. The "Unity in the Community" mural will be a lasting recognition to a well-deserved community. Edwin has been working with art groups for years. Being an abstract artist himself, he appreciates the beauty and the significance of this mural. Edwin trusts you will get as much joy and pleasure as he did seeing this project to completion.
Sake (Christopher Kinney)
Mural designer and leader
Rachel Venancio
Artist (assisted Sake summer of 2022)
Rachel comes from the temperate rainforests of the Santa Cruz mountains. She loves her husband, children, trees, and making beauty where she lives in City Heights. She has been enjoying painting this mural alongside Sake. !A la vida!