Weigh in on the Mount Washington Mural Tonight

A trio of young local artists who have been making the rounds in an effort to win support for a mural they hope to create in honor of a deceased childhood friend will pitch their project to the on Monday evening.

Artists Zach Christensen, Robert Sipchen and Antonio Villaraigosa--all Mount Washington natives--will go before the board at 7 p.m. to make the case for the mural, which has become a topic of disagreement among area residents. 

The artists said the mural would honor , a childhood friend who joined them in previous artistic endeavors in the neighborhood before taking his life last January after long suffering with schizophrenia.

Comunity opnion about the mural, which would be located along the concrete bulkhead on Mount Washington Drive between San Rafael and Canyon Vista Drives, has so far been split.

The chief arguments against the mural have come from residents who said they moved to the neighborhood for peace, quiet and serenity. Those who've spoken out against the mural said that the trio's artistic style would clash with the area's natural surroundings.

Opponents have also stated that the mural's proximity to the 's land is a problem.

Supporters, though, argue that the mural would beautify the often vandalized concrete bulkhead and serve as an aesthetically pleasing tribute to Rohman, a beloved member of the community.

Neighborhood residents will again have a chance to launch their arguments for or against the mural at Monday evening's Mount Washington Association Meeting, which will be held at 7 p.m. in the Jack and Denny Smith Library at the .