Jodie Lewers Chertudi ’97 and Mike Flores ’96 returned to campus to create a stunning 75th Anniversary mural in the STEM patio, blending artistry, history, and Lancer pride. We interviewed Jodie about their process, inspiration, and artistic approach, giving our community a deeper look at the meaning behind the mural. The vibrant piece now serves as an inspiring centerpiece for students and visitors, honoring the school’s past and looking boldly toward its future.
What inspired you to say yes to creating Salpointe’s 75th anniversary mural?
We immediately said yes because being back on campus and creating something meaningful for students and alumni felt really special. We both have so many wonderful memories here. Plus, I have two future Lancers coming up, so I wanted to make them proud as well.
Can you share how your time at Salpointe influenced your artistic style or approach to this project?
So much of what we learned at Salpointe, and what still stays with me today, is rooted in service to others and the importance of teamwork. Mike and I take pride in our work and we love creating beautiful environments for people to enjoy.
Were there any specific memories or traditions from your Lancer years that you wanted to incorporate into the mural?
Kairos during my senior year was a truly special memory and I knew many alumni would connect with that experience as well. Sports were also a big part of my time at Salpointe, and since both Mike and I played basketball, we wanted to weave that element into the mural too.
How did you begin the design process? Did you sketch multiple concepts before arriving at the final version?
The heart concept came to me right away, but I knew I wanted to create something that captured the spirit of the school and genuine Lancer love. We tested a few ideas with students and even considered incorporating metal-mounted photos of alumni, but ultimately we landed on something colorful, bold and simple.
How did you decide which elements of Salpointe’s history and identity to highlight?
Salpointe has such a rich history and strong traditions, so narrowing down what to include was challenging. I focused on elements that conveyed Lancer spirit, both school spirit and the Holy Spirit. I incorporated things like the emblem from the 1969 cheerleading uniforms, Kairos cookies featured on the 2014 cover of Salpointe Today, the alumni Lancer logo from John’s Journal, a basketball to represent athletics, and a graduation cap and book for academics. At the center is a large heart inspired by the shape of the Carmelite logo with the words “Prayer”, “Service” and “Community.”
Can you walk us through your creative workflow, from concept to completion?
For this project, we explored the campus for inspiration. The stained glass in the chapel really stood out—it’s at the heart of campus and radiates beautiful color and light. I’ve also been doing freelance graphic design for Salpointe for many years on projects like the timeline, Strategic Plan, and Salpointe Today magazine, which helped fuel the concept. I start with rough sketches, narrow down the ideas, perfect the drawings, and finalize the sketch digitally in Adobe Illustrator to create the vector outlines. Then I use Adobe Fresco to bring the design to life in color. For the first time, I used a VR headset to draw the lines on the wall. Once the lines were in place, we picked paint colors to match the concept and filled everything in like a giant coloring book.
How did the two of you collaborate?
We work very well together and have a lot of respect for each other as artists. I focus on digital design and concept work with the client, while Mike handles installation. He has a great eye for what’s realistic and brings excellent painting skills, creativity, and attention to detail. We constantly check in on each other’s work to make sure everything feels balanced. Painting a mural is a bit like a construction project—scaffolding, power tools, and heavy equipment—so having two people on site makes a big difference.
Did returning to Salpointe’s campus bring back any meaningful memories?
Absolutely. We listened to music from back in the day and reminisced about classes, sports, cars, and favorite off-campus lunch spots like Sausage Deli and Upper Crust Pizza.
What message do you hope students and visitors take away when they see the mural?
We hope people feel the Lancer love. We wanted to contribute to the warmth and kindness that is already woven throughout campus.
How do you hope your work inspires current Lancers, especially those interested in the arts?
Coming from a digital arts and graphic design background, it’s been fun to combine both skill sets for this project. You don’t have to be limited to one type of artistic talent.
What projects are you currently working on or excited about?
We’re creating a mural for the Hendrick Acres Neighborhood, just down the street from Salpointe near Mountain Avenue and Ft. Lowell. The design has been approved, and the neighborhood is seeking donors to support the project. Learn more at the Friends of Ward 3 website: https://fow3.org/hana/.
What advice would you give to Salpointe students who want to pursue art, design, or creative careers?
Always carry a small sketchbook to jot down ideas or sketch inspiration—you never know when creativity will strike. Try all kinds of mediums and techniques, and keep practicing.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Follow on Instagram @JLewers_Design or visit my website www.jlewers.com to see other projects we’ve worked on.