Tropicana Del Norte Applauds Former RA at I Madonnari Festival
The students from East Palo Alto’s Phoenix Academy. (Left to Right) Nick H.,
Manny N., Brenda H., Fernanda G., David A., Cindy M., Tandra M., Jazlin B.
SANTA BARBARA, CA – May 26, 2014 – Students from East Palo Alto’s Phoenix Academy high school created a beautiful chalk art square for Tropicana Student Living at the 2014 I Madonnari street painting festival at the Santa Barbara Mission this Memorial Day weekend. The surreal images inspired by nature were completed under the direction of former Trop Resident Assistnat, Brandon Teris. Brandon is now an Art Instructor at East Palo Alto Phoenix Academy, and he has been bringing his students to participate in I Madonnari for the past four years. This year, 8 students from Phoenix Academy made up Tropicana’s I Madonnari student team.
“We are very proud of Brandon and his team,” said Dave Wilcox, Executive Director. “We love their work and look forward to welcoming them back to Tropicana for the I Madonnari festival next year.”
In 2012, Brandon returned to paint a mural for the the upper Café at Tropicana Del Norte, a residence hall for UCSB students. A year later, he turned the Tropicana Del Norte study lounge into an academic oasis with a calming ocean scene.
