Lincoln Acres Library gets mural

Citizenship, achievement, hard work, respect, enthusiasm. These words now adorn the outside walls of the Lincoln Acres Library.

The five themes represent the values of the Lincoln Acres community and are part of a multi-panel series painted by local muralist Sal Barajas.

Barajas, 72, is one of the original muralists who painted the San Diego Chicano Park murals in the ’70s.

He was commissioned by County Library Director Jose Aponte to create murals for the Lincoln Acres Library as a way to discourage vandalism. Lincoln Acres is a unincorporated community in National City.

The murals have already begun deterring taggers.

“What I paint is not just decorative in nature, it’s educational, and most of the time relevant to that community,” Barajas said. “If I’m helping the community I feel great. I want to make a difference.”

Barajas began working on the murals in June every day from 6 a.m. to noon and expects to be done sometime next month.

“He’s a person of real action and commitment,” Aponte said of Barajas.

There are five panels on the south wall and others on the front and back walls of the library.

“It’s a mural created by the people, for the people,” said Jose Ocadiz, Lincoln Acres branch manager. “It represents the community’s spirit, values, history and culture.”

About 15 kids from Beacon Classical Academy in San Diego grades second through eighth, gathered at the Lincoln Acres Library last week to participate in creating the mural.

Before taking turns planting their hand prints on one of the murals, the students sat and listened to library leaders.

“The library and your teachers represent the key to the doors of your future,” Aponte said. “One of you will be a teacher, a doctor, a lawyer and librarian. But in order to get there, someone’s got to open the door. Libraries are the instrument to help get you there.”

A similar event is planned for local teens and children in the library’s art class will also be able to participate.

In all, some 75 local students will make their mark on the murals.

“It’s a simple concept — when people have ownership they care about their libraries, school and institutions,” Aponte said.

Barajas, who grew up in Tijuana, has been working as a professional artist since 1970.

As a young man his goal was to become an architect.

As a San Diego resident at age 20, Barajas joined the U.S. Air Force. He said that a test given to determine qualifications landed him in a warehouse.

“I showed them that I could do a better job as an artist, and I was able to transfer as a technical illustrator,” Barajas said.

The shift in responsibility set the tone for his future work.

Upon getting out of the military, Barajas attened a technical trade school in Los Angeles where he focused on advertising and design.

After graduating in 1970 Barajas, began working as an advertising designer. He spent nearly 30 years in that business.

He retired from advertising and design about 20 years ago and started his own business called Motivational Designs.

Barajas has painted about a dozen murals in the last 10 years at various schools.

He’s also painted murals for the Spring Valley Library.

The Lincoln Acres Library is at 2725 Granger Ave., in National City.