A keyboard design is shown on the concrete area of the playground at Rancho Gabriela Elementary School painted by Isaac Escarcega.
their name, for example, but the stimulating colors and shapes provide sensory input that can aid in cognitive development and focus. Sara admits the SEPTSA doesn’t want to stop there. “Our big goal is that every school playground would be covered in rubberized surfacing, which helps kids with mobility challenges. But starting here, it’s really easy to get some paint and an amazing painter like Isaac and his partner Lizzie. So that’s where we’re starting.” But how did SEPTSA get connected with Issac, exactly? That’s where fate lent a hand. “Canyon Ridge is my childrens’ school,” explained Sara. As it turned out, the eye-catching work Isaac had done to makeover the Cougar’s campus served as quite the resume. Knowing what SEPTSA had envisioned for the sensory paths, Sara thought whoever did this bold and brilliant artwork at her own kids’ school would be perfect for this very special task. “Those were great designs, and so beautifully done,” she said. Sara went straight to the school’s PTA, and inquired Isaac Escarcega paints a snake on a design at Rancho Gabriela Elementary School as part of his project to design colorful artwork at a variety of district campuses. The artwork is a hit with regular and special education children who learn and play through the art. 32 November 2024
about this mystery artist. Sheryl, who also happens to be a SEPTSA member, was more than happy to once again recommend Isaac. “Yeah, that was a great phone call,” Isaac recalled. “It was so out of nowhere, I was just at home and they were telling me, ‘All the schools want you,’ and I’m thinking, ‘What? Is this real?’” While Isaac is admittedly excited for any project that involves paint, there was something special about this enterprise. Given that the end goal was to eliminate barriers and bring kids together made this an art project with a purpose, and neither the heat, rain, nor the early mornings could temper his enthusiasm. His eagerness to have the students enjoy the paths is evident in his designs. He solicited input from the schools as to what their students would enjoy. Each image was then carefully crafted to incorporate the school’s colors, mascot, and design preferences. Rancho Gabriela, for example, has cartoonish orange rattlesnakes that appear to scoot across the oversized number board. Kingswood Elementary School has its brilliant purple and silver on