Students: Paint this wall!

Area high school students are being given the opportunity to come up with some creative ideas to give the lobby of the Yuma County Legal Defender's Office a new look.

"The entire lobby area has a very sterile ambiance that does not set well with our passionate advocacy," said Jose de la Vara, the head of the Yuma County Legal Defender's Office. "Currently there are two benches and a couple of chairs. People sit out there in the lobby all the time and there is nothing for them to look at."

De la Vara said a senior attorney in his office, Mike Politi, came up with an idea several weeks ago to hold a competition to have young artists design a mural that will eventually be painted on one of the walls in the office's front lobby.

"I thought it was a great idea," De la Vara said. "It is also a way we can recognize our talented young artists and provide them a venue to showcase their work."

The mural must be law-related and have a connection to Yuma, with either a historical, contemporary or combination theme.

Any interested student can submit a drawing of their mural idea, whether they attend an art class at their school or not.

De La Vara said he would like to have all entries submitted by March 12. The entries will be reviewed by attorneys and employees at the Yuma County Legal Defender's Office the following week, and the winning entry will be announced March 19.

Arrangements, De la Vara said, will be made to have the winning entry painted on the lobby wall shortly after the winner is selected.

After getting permission from his boss, County Administrator Robert Pickels, who also thought it was a great idea, De la Vara sent letters to all the Yuma County high schools.

De la Vara said he sent the letters to San Luis, Cibola, Yuma, Antelope, Gila Ridge, Yuma Catholic, Harvest Prep and Vista high schools about three weeks ago but has only received a response from one of the schools - Harvest Prep - so far.

"I'm not sure how many students would be interested, but I'm hoping we get a really good response."

The Legal Defender's Office is located at 201 S. 2nd Ave. De la Vara said contestants are welcome to come by to get a look at the wall to see what is trying to be accomplished.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.