Student-Painted Tiles on Permanent Display at Village Walk

The Village Walk shopping center in Murrieta now features a permanent display of colorful artwork thanks to several local schoolchildren.

Nearly 200 Murrieta Elementary School students submitted drawings for the Community Tile Project in hopes of having their artwork become one of the original hand painted tiles that can be seen at the main patio at 24530 Village Walk Place, according to a news release.

A total of 128 students ages 5 to 11 were selected to paint individual tiles, said Erika Abrille of Lake Forest-based Merlone Geier Management, the company that manages the shopping center.

"Promoting the arts is part of Merlone Geier’s initiative to enrich the shopping center experience and to visually connect visitors to the property," Abrille said.

The Murrieta Elementary Parent Teacher Club and Color Me Mine art studio in San Diego helped facilitate the project.

Village Walk tenants contributed special giveaways to celebrate the project participants.

“The kids were very excited to make the tiles,” said Murrieta Elementary School Principal Estelle Jaurequi. “It was a great team collaboration between the school and business community.”

All tiles are permanently installed together as one presentation, enhancing the outdoor patio while representing a sense of ownership by the community, according to Abrille.

The management company encouraged the community to bring friends and family to view the completed tile wall.