Artist hard at work on Mohr ball wall

If you’ve walked the campus of Mohr Elementary School lately, you’ve noticed a bright, colorful mural taking shape on the playground’s ball wall. And if you’ve been there during the late afternoon and early evening, you may have seen the artist responsible for it.

The mural is being painted by local artist Cheryl Anthony and incorporates students’ ideas on cultural diversity.

“Watercolor is my forte,” Anthony said as she painted a soft brush stroke of some blue sky on a recent Friday afternoon.

But you wouldn’t know it from her vibrant, detailed artwork. Anthony estimates she’s spent at least 25 hours on the mural, beginning the project in May. She often spends a few hours each day adding new details to it.

Anthony was asked to judge a mural contest at Mohr and later asked to paint the mural herself. She said she chose to combine several students’ ideas and make one all-inclusive, cohesive piece.

The original design concept was done by Christine Xu. Nikhilesh Bhaskar designed a flower image that’s portrayed on the mural and Michael Iglesias had the idea for a globe and eagle that’s also on the wall. The eagle is Mohr’s school mascot and the globe represents the diversity at the elementary school.

Anthony, an accomplished artist, has shown her works at local exhibits. She also teaches children 8 years and older as well as adults basic drawing and design techniques at her home studio.