Whimsical mural unveiled downtown

"Wabi Sabi," an original musical performed by a group of local artists with disabilities, has inspired the contingent to complete a downtown mural project using the same name.

The mural, "Wabi Sabi, Perfectly Imperfect," was created by Alchemia, the Theater for Life Program, under the direction of Petaluma ceramic artist Nuala Creed. Alchemia is located in Putnam Plaza and links artists with different creative abilities to local schools and communities through collaborative projects in the visual and performing arts.

The whimsical, ceramic mural, in two panels, was installed on June 7, and unveiled four days later. The panels are 3 1/2 inches by 10 inches, and incorporate the colorful images and intimate poetry of artists with disabilities. The mural explores the meaning of the Japanese aesthetic term, "wabi sabi," roughly translated as "perfectly imperfect," and conveys the message that everyone is perfectly imperfect.

Jumpstart, a public arts grant from the Cultural Arts Council of Sonoma County, provided funding for the mural.

At the unveiling June 7, Alchemia and Creed hosted a brief ceremony that included a poetry reading, musical performance and refreshments. Postcards of the mural were available for sale, and subsequently will be available in local bookstores.

Alchemia's "Wabi Sabi" musical has been performed at several schools and community centers in the Bay Area. Alchemia Theater recently was featured at the Arts and Disability Showcase at the De Young Museum in San Francisco, and has received wide recognition for innovative dramatic productions.

Creed was born in Ireland, and her artwork has been featured in the book, "500 Figures in Clay," as well as in many art magazines, including Ceramics Art and Percep-tion, Ceramics Monthly, American Craft and Amer-ican Art Collector.

Her work has been widely exhibited throughout the United States, most recently as part of "The Family of Clay, CCA Ceramics 1950-2005" exhibit at the California College for the Arts in Oakland.

She has worked on many public murals, and was commissioned to create an original ornament for the White House Christmas tree in 2002.