Muralists Celebrate Olympic Surfing Across San Clemente – home to Team USA’s Kolohe Andino and Caroline Marks

May 26, 2021 – (San Clemente, Calif.) Three artists are starting work on murals for businesses throughout San Clemente, which celebrate the city as home to Olympic surfers Kolohe Andino and Caroline Marks and USA Surfing - the National Governing Body for Olympic surfing. 
 
The three artists – Melissa Murphy, Dana Martino, and Jeff Lukasik – were selected by the businesses from a field of 16 excellent submissions. See bios and mural locations below. 
 
“We were so impressed with the passion, creativity and skill in San Clemente’s surfing and artist community. Thank you to everyone who participated,” said USA Surfing COO Andrea Swayne. “We expect there will be more opportunities to show off the surf community’s talented artists, as our sport makes its debut on the world’s largest sporting stage.” 
 
San Clemente business walls, which enjoy millions of visitors a year, make the perfect canvas for San Clemente’s talented muralists to paint Southern California’s big glassy waves and skilled Olympic surfers.  
 
Swayne encourages surf fans, visitors and San Clemente residents to follow USA Surfing’s social media channels for updates as the three muralists’ art comes to life, commemorating surfing’s first Olympics for businesses across the city. “We also look forward to people visiting these locations, taking pictures and tagging @USASurfing in social media posts,” Swayne said. “We’re spreading the stoke of Olympic surfing and art far and wide!”
 
SAN CLEMENTE’S OLYMPIC SURFING MURALISTS:
 
Melissa Murphy is a professional muralist, who has painted public murals all over Orange County, in Mexico and Los Angeles. She painted one of Huntington Beach’s largest surf murals, is a former competitive surfer and still surfs every day. 
LOCATION:  102 Ave. Victoria – an East wall facing Del Mar 45’ length x 21.8’ height with horizontal break at @10’
 
Dana Martino moved to San Clemente to be part of the city’s strong surfing and artist community. She says, “I envision turning these blank, lifeless walls into a powerful, bright work of art.” Martino’s work is featured in murals and public art in New Jersey, Florida, Huntington Beach
LOCATION: 103 Ave. Del Mar – an East wall facing the alleyway and the Bartlett Building 60’ length x 15’ height.
 
Jeff Lukasik was born and raised in San Clemente. His stunning work is featured throughout San Clemente and in upcoming WSL promotions. Lukasik says his art is inspired by his love for the ocean and surfing. 
LOCATION: Nomads Hotel, 101 Avenida Serra– 60’ alleyway wall of the building. 
 
Nomads Hotel co-founder Sean Rowland (a former WSL photographer) said he is “humbled and honored to have this opportunity” to celebrate Olympic surfers and surfing. 
 
“When I heard that there was an opportunity to show support for the USA team, and more specifically our Hometown Hero's Andino and Marks, I couldn't wait to raise my hand for the mural project,” Rowland said. “Until now, Olympic Surfing has just been a dream! I speak for everyone here at Nomads when I say that we are BEYOND excited to not only see USA's Best competing at the 2021 Olympics, but surfing as a whole being recognized as an Olympic Sport. We can’t wait watch the USA Team make history and are so stoked to see the surfers fulfill their lifelong dreams of becoming Olympic Athletes! HUGE thanks to USA Surfing and the 2021 Olympic Surf Team!”
 
"We are honored to be a part of the mural project celebrating San Clemente's influence on the world of surfing.  We wish our athletes all the best.  Go USA!" said Sam and Eugenia Kollias, owners of the commercial space at 102 Avenida Victoria. 
 
 "I am very impressed by the talent level of all the artists wanting to be a part of the project and how they all connect with USA Surfing's mission," said Kim Tilly, USA Surfing Administrative Coordinator and project manager. "Being a surfer certainly wasn't a requirement but as it turns out, all three of the chosen artists share that passion, and it really shines through in their work." 
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San Clemente’s economic development officer Jonathan Lightfoot said surfing is an integral part of the history and the future of San Clemente. “Baseball might be the American pastime, but surfing is the San Clemente pastime. From the swell watchers to the surfboard shapers, surfing is a legacy we are proud to embrace,” Lightfoot said. “We are excited that this downtown mural project will highlight the impact of surfing to our town while we cheer on our American surf team from local watch parties this summer. The City is cheering for you Carissa, Caroline, Kolohe, and John John!”