San Marcos High School Unveils New Student-Created Mural by Local Artist Michael Matheson

San Marcos High School has announced the creation of a new large-scale mural by acclaimed Santa Barbara artist Michael Matheson, developed in collaboration with students through a semester-long arts program combining creative instruction, mentorship, and hands-on public artmaking.

The mural marks Matheson’s third large-scale public artwork on the San Marcos campus and the second created as part of a Royal Time elective class, continuing a growing tradition of student-centered public art supported by the Royal Pride Foundation and community partners.

‘The very best of experiential learning’

San Marcos High School Principal Dare Holdren praised the project as a powerful example of hands-on education.

“This project represents the very best of experiential learning,” Holdren said. “Michael’s mentorship gives students the opportunity to discover what’s possible when creativity and community come together. It’s inspiring to watch them collaborate, solve problems, build confidence, and leave a lasting legacy on their campus. Our job as educators is to create opportunities where students can discover strengths they didn’t know they had, and this mural is a wonderful example of that.”

A student-driven vision

The initiative traces its roots to The Future Is Ours, a transformative 270-foot-long mural stretching across the campus basketball courts. Featuring an uplifting message of optimism and possibility, the artwork has become a defining feature of the school environment—visible to students traversing one of the campus’s busiest thoroughfares, motorists traveling along Turnpike Road, and even passengers arriving by air at Santa Barbara Airport.

The success of that project inspired a second Matheson mural beautifying the school’s sand volleyball courts, made possible through the generosity of SMHS beach volleyball families.

The latest mural began with a vision from students themselves. Three members of the Class of 2026—Charlotte Smythe, Mia Richmond, and Malia Hetrick—approached the Royal Pride Foundation with the idea of creating something lasting on campus.

“What makes this project so special is that it began with students,” said Royal Pride Foundation President Kristi Newton. “Seeing students work side-by-side with Michael Matheson to create art they’ll be proud of for years to come is exactly the kind of opportunity we hope to make possible. By covering the full cost of the program, we’re able to remove financial barriers so any student who wants to participate can. Every student deserves a campus that reflects their creativity, pride, and potential, and there’s something incredibly meaningful about students helping build that legacy themselves.”

A semester of creative collaboration

Like its predecessor, the new mural is the culmination of a semester-long elective course taught by Matheson. Throughout the semester, students are introduced to a range of artistic processes, techniques, and materials while gaining firsthand insight into the creation of large-scale public art. Students contribute themes and imagery that help shape the mural’s final design before working alongside Matheson to bring it to life.

“Painting this mural was a great experience that opened my eyes to new skills and ideas that now have made me interested in doing traditional sign painting,” said San Marcos High School rising junior Ximena Gutierrez Carachure.

A personal project for Matheson

Known for his vibrant use of color and distinctive visual storytelling, Matheson has created public artworks throughout the Santa Barbara region. As a San Marcos alum, this project holds special meaning for him.

“I wasn’t the kind of student who always thrived in a traditional classroom, and I know firsthand that not every student learns, expresses themselves, or finds confidence in the same way,” Matheson said. “An opportunity like this would have made a big difference for me when I was here. My goal is for every student who participates to walk away feeling more connected—to their creativity, to their school, to their classmates, and most of all, to themselves.”

Matheson holds a degree in Illustration and Fine Art from ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena and has created visual identities for beloved local businesses including Dune Coffee Roasters, Revolver Pizza, Acme Hospitality, SeaVees Footwear, Handlebar Coffee Roasters, Mother Dough Bagels, and Loveworn, among others.