Luther Burbank Middle School honors namesake with new mural

Luther Burbank Middle School unveiled a new mural on Tuesday, honoring the important horticulturist for whom the school is named.

Dozens of Burbank school and city officials gathered in front of the mural, located outside the campus library. Luther Burbank was a famed horticulturist who developed varieties of flowers, fruits and vegetables. He is most known for introducing the russet Burbank potato.

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The mural depicts a black-and-white portrait of Luther holding the planet Earth while he is surrounded by flora that he bred, such as the Shasta daisy, cherries and his signature potato.

“These walls needed life, and this mural was put in a perfect spot,” said Oscar Macias, Luther Burbank’s principal. “It’s a central hub for activity for our school.”

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Luther Burbank Middle School Principal Dr. Oscar Macias takes the podium to close the ceremony as a jet, taking off from the Bob Hope Airport, flys overhead at the Mural Dedication and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at the middle school on Tuesday, March 15, 2016. The mural depicts Dr. Luther Burbank and features about his life.  (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Mural artist Randall Williams addresses the audience at the Mural Dedication and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at Luther Burbank Middle School on Tuesday, March 15, 2016. The mural depicts Dr. Luther Burbank and features about his life.  (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burbank Vice Mayor Jess Talamantes, an alumni of Luther Burbank Middle School, addresses the audience at the Mural Dedication and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at the middle school on Tuesday, March 15, 2016. The mural depicts Dr. Luther Burbank and features about his life.  (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Luther Burbank Middle School Principal Dr. Oscar Macias looks at his notes as he welcomes visitors at the Mural Dedication and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at the middle school on Tuesday, March 15, 2016. The mural depicts Dr. Luther Burbank and features about his life.  (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burbank Mayor Bob Frutos and ASB President Jessie Alvarenga work out a leader’s handshake at the Mural Dedication and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at Luther Burbank Middle School on Tuesday, March 15, 2016. The mural depicts Dr. Luther Burbank and features about his life.  (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burbank Mayor Bob Frutos addresses the audience at the Mural Dedication and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at Luther Burbank Middle School on Tuesday, March 15, 2016. The mural depicts Dr. Luther Burbank and features about his life.  (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burbank Mayor Bob Frutos shakes hands with Principal Dr. Oscar Macias at the Mural Dedication and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at Luther Burbank Middle School on Tuesday, March 15, 2016. The mural depicts Dr. Luther Burbank and features about his life.  (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

The mural was funded by Logix Federal Credit Union, which has donated money to three other Burbank schools to have murals painted at each campus.

“We’re trying to bring in art into the schools because we know it is important for us to support art education and to beautify the campus,” said Alethia Calagias, spokeswoman for Logix.

Local artist Randall Williams was brought in to design and paint the mural of Luther. Williams said he wanted to showcase all of the horticulturist’s contributions.

“When you ask people about Luther Burbank, no one really knows anything about him,” he said.

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Anthony Clark Carpio, anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com

Twitter: @acocarpio

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