Circle K’ers dab the finishing touches on the San Diego River Mural Project.

Artists choose from an extensive palate of color choices.

A Circle K volunteer artist adds detail to the painting.

Stroke of service

Give a paintbrush to members of the Circle K club at the University of California-San Diego (UCSD), and prepare to be amazed.

More than 20 UCSD Circle K’ers put their personal, painted touches on the San Diego River Mural Project during the 2006-07 school year. California artist Julia C R Gray designed the mural, which measures 65 feet long and 16 feet tall. In all, more than 170 volunteer artists helped Gray with her vision.

“The project was sponsored by the San Diego River Park Foundation, which is always looking for ways to reconnect people with the river,” says 2006-07 UCSD Circle K president Vidhi Doshi. “The San Diego River Mural Project is a way for us to raise awareness about our beautiful namesake river through art.”

While some Circle K’ers painted raccoons, birds, and leopards, others mixed paint or filled in mistakes or missing spots.

“It was a blast to bond with fellow members and see their creative sides coming out,” Vidhi says.