to paint a mural on the north wall at the Gilroy Center for the
Arts, close to Monterey Road and Seventh Street. Those who
donated to our Patrons of the Arts fundraiser are acknowledged
by name on a bronze plaque mounted on the mural wall.
Our class put in a lot of physical effort and time. My son-in-
law helped power wash the wall before Cathers began work on
the mural. One team came in and spackled cracks and painted
primer on the entire wall. After Sheryl worked her magic
completing the mural, another team came in and applied two
coats of anti-graffiti varnish on the entire wall. The labor of
love brought us all closer together.
Our project also included development of a video
encouraging children to be involved in the arts. Local Video-
grapher Zach Patterson was commissioned to produce the
video, and the result is amazing. The video is available via the
Arts Alliance, Gilroy Unified School District, or Leadership
Gilroy for anyone interested in a copy.
Leadership Gilroy’s Class of 2017 is a wild conglomeration
of folks who have developed while learning leadership skills,
group dynamics, and all about Gilroy and its glory. We’ve
learned about one another’s strengths and weaknesses, and
encouraged each other throughout our project.
Classmate Scott Winant said, “It’s been amazing, really, I
grew up in Salinas and never had that experience there, where
you’re fully engulfed in the community, you know a lot of the
business leaders, they know you.”
Another class member, Mike Luevano, expressed his surprise
at the breadth of knowledge he attained from the program:
“I learned so much more about the police, the city, the
agricultural and education side of things. Getting to talk to
those people and ask questions and get their feedback.
To learn the big picture of…their contribution to the
community is so big.”
The Class of 2017 is committed to quarterly gatherings to
maintain our newfound friendships and share personal and
city updates. Personally, my participation in Leadership Gilroy
and in our class project helped me to reconnect with our
wonderful city after 40 years living in Fresno. It feels good
to be HOME.
TM
“What’s so special about the program is that we do really try to
focus on the idea that leadership looks different for everybody.
Our goal is that we’ve helped foster skills that will continue on
in the community.”
Andrea Gamble, Executive Director, Leadership Gilroy
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
gmhtoday.com
45