CARDINAL SPIRIT

Cardinal Spirit began as a mural project at Santa Paula High School created by David Flores through California Prop 28 arts funding. In a unique show of collaboration and support for the arts, three departments at Santa Paula High School combined portions of their allocated funding to help bring the mural to life on campus.

The mural reimagines the school mascot, Joe Cardinal, through imagery inspired by Native dance traditions and the ancestral presence of the Chumash people of California’s Central Coast. Blending movement, ceremony, transformation, and school spirit, the artwork was created to reflect both the energy of the students and the deeper cultural history of the region.

Large-scale public murals require far more than paint on a wall. Behind every mural is the cost of materials, equipment rentals, planning, logistics, installation, and the many hours dedicated to designing and painting the work itself. Public art also depends on artists being properly compensated for their creative labor, experience, and time.

As part of the project, David and Olivia Flores were invited to speak to students at Santa Paula High School about art, creativity, and building a career as an artist. Nearly 400 students packed into the auditorium for the presentation. Teachers watched in disbelief as students sat fully engaged, listening without phones in their hands, asking thoughtful questions about creativity, success, money, and building a future through art.

Many of the students’ questions centered around making a living as an artist. Olivia spoke openly about the importance of artists understanding their value, getting paid for their work, knowing their costs, and learning how to recognize when “exposure” is being offered in place of fair compensation. The conversation also explored the pressure young artists face through social media and constant comparison. Students were encouraged not to lose themselves trying to fit trends or create work simply to be liked, but instead to develop their own voice, stand apart, and allow their individuality to become their strength.

The impact of the presentation and mural revealed something powerful: students are hungry for creative encouragement, real-world guidance, and opportunities to see artistic careers presented as something tangible and achievable.

The Cardinal Spirit collection was created as a way to extend the life of the mural beyond the wall itself while continuing to give back to the school. By transforming the artwork into wearable pieces, the project becomes something students, alumni, families, and community members can carry with them while directly supporting future art opportunities at Santa Paula High School.

Proceeds from every purchase directly supports the Santa Paula High School Art Department and future student art programs.