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January
23, 2006
VOL.
44, NO. 2Oakland,
CA
St. Elizabeth
High mural enhances Fruitvale neighborhood
This student-painted mural on the west side of St. Elizabeth High School
brings the iconic gaze of St. Elizabeth of Hungary to all who pass the
school on 34th Ave. in east Oakland. Last year’s seniors from the
advanced painting class of artist David Burke painted the mural over a
period of seven weeks. They worked on the huge painting after school,
on weekends and even during the summer to finish the project.
The painting reflects the life of St. Elizabeth, the daughter of King
Andrew of Hungary. According to legend Elizabeth was forced to deliver
bread to the poor on the sly because her husband’s family opposed
her charitable pursuits. One day when her husband looked under her cloak
to see what she was hiding, the bread miraculously had turned into roses.
In the mural, both the rose and bread she is holding are linked to the
legend. The 18-foot pelican is a symbol of Christian compassion. When
food is scarce, the pelican pierces her chest to feed her young with her
own blood. Students chose this image to reflect the generosity of the
school community.
