From the Orange Grove to The Soraya, from the University Library to the squirrels that love to roam all around the campus, famous CSUN landmarks are featured in murals painted by students for the new Trader Joe’s grocery store that just opened near campus. On opening day, July 21, CSUN Department of Art and Design Chair Samantha Fields and some of the art students arrived early to see the framed works that grace the walls above the cold cases and the wine section.
Fields, who worked with the students and Trader Joe’s as an advisor on the mural project, was in a celebratory mood as she snapped photos of the displayed artwork.
“I’m super happy, but also a little relieved…. The project is done!” she said.
Fields said this was a competitive process, where students had to submit drawings and take part in meetings with the client.
“They are actually learning a professional practice,” Fields said. “For some of them, this is their first time they are working with a client, making an invoice, getting paid for their time. One of my favorite things about this project is that the students are getting a real-world professional development experience with Trader Joe’s.”
The project came about when Michael Solis, the “captain,” or store manager, of the new Trader Joe’s visited campus and met Fields.
“Trader Joe’s likes to make sure that every new store is truly a community store where the neighborhood is well represented,” Fields said. “I think our students are a pretty good way to do just that!”
Six students were chosen by the grocery store to work on the murals. Taylor Caliz, Kayla Cruzada, Jenivit Marrero-Solis, Antonio Martinez, Mailahguiya Sourgose and Ligia Vilches. built on their initial ideas for their mural sections with input from officials at Trader Joe’s. They worked on the murals both on campus and in their homes, painting on boards that have now been installed in the new store.
Kayla Cruzada, a senior majoring in animation art, expressed her enthusiasm about being able to work with Trader Joe’s on a professional level as she painted the CSUN duck pond — the piece includes Trader Joe’s touches, featuring snacks from the store.
“It’s been pretty exciting! I didn’t think I would get chosen, but I did and I already added it to my portfolio,” Cruzada said, “It is a little different than my major in animation because its painting but it is a good step towards the art direction.”
Antonio Martinez, a senior who is also studying animation art, said feedback from Fields and the staff at Trader Joe’s helped him flesh out the details in his mural, a vibrant red, black and white painting that prominently features a Matador. It hangs over the wine department, near the exit.
“It is a lot more detailed thanks to them,” Martinez said. “I haven’t seen it in so long, so it’s like seeing an old friend.”
The new Northridge Trader Joe’s is located at 9224 Reseda Blvd., between Prairie and Dearborn streets.
