Store Owners Cover Up Part of Kids’ Mural

A vibrant mural painted by local children onto the side of a Ventura Avenue liquor store in 1994 was partly painted over Friday morning, despite pleas from the directing artist and community members.

The artwork, which was funded by the Ventura County Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, features anti-gang and anti-drug messages aimed at discouraging criminals from frequenting the area. The 12-by-72-foot mural gained national acclaim last year when it became one of 50 pieces of community art selected for depiction in an exhibit in Washington, D.C.

“It’s really sad that they would do this,” said artist M.B. Hanrahan, who directed the production of the mural. “It had a really important message for the Avenue.”

Hanrahan, who teaches a mural painting class at Ventura College, has worked on several community art projects with children. The destruction of the mural hurts them, she said, by sending the message that their contribution is dispensable.

When she learned of the store owners’ plans to paint over the mural, she joined community members in making several attempts to stop them.

“I’m just concerned that we’re losing a piece of art on the Avenue,” said Len Evans, an area resident and artist. “The community doesn’t need that.”

Store co-owner Kamil Yousef said he has no plans to cover the remaining portion of the mural, but that he does not regret covering what he did.

“My customers didn’t like that part of the mural. They said it was ugly,” he said. “The second half is a nice picture, though. I’m keeping it.”

The objectionable portion of the mural depicted a billboard marketing tobacco and alcohol to children. Scrawled across the billboard were the words: “It’s not cool to target kids.”

The store’s previous owner had said the mural improved the area by discouraging drug dealers and transients from hanging out in the empty lot next-door.

Steve Kaplan, director of the Ventura County Behavioral Health Department, agreed.

“The mural did a lot of great things,” he said. “It stimulated some initiative in the community to clean up that corner. Unfortunately we can’t peel it off the wall and move it somewhere else.”

Although Kaplan’s department helped fund the project, he said the county has no recourse against the store owners.

“It’s private property,” he said. “We wouldn’t have any say.”

Ventura Councilman Jim Friedman has four of Hanrahan’s artworks in his home. A fan of the artist, he said he understands that the community could feel a personal loss.

“I know people I’ve spoken to on the Avenue have been very supportive of the murals,” he said.

“It’s unfortunate. But how do you undo what was painted over?”