A garden-themed mural has been placed on the side of a Sevastopol church, what the creator calls “a bit of wonder for everyone.”

Forestville muralist Amanda Lynn spent Oct. 15 and 16 on the project, titled “The Playground,” outside the soon-to-open The Playground Café on the campus of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on Robinson Road.

“I’m very excited because I wanted to paint publicly in Sebastopol,” said Amanda Lynn, whose work can be seen throughout Sonoma County, including the Sonoma County Youth Hall and Boys and Girls Club in Santa Rosa, the River Theater in Guerneville and at the corner of Highway 116 and Covey Road in Forestville.

“Since I love living and creating in Sonoma County and West County so much, I want to express that joy and gratitude by sharing art with everyone in the community,” she said.

The mural is a reflection of the nature found on the church’s four-acre site, including plants, vegetables and flowers. “Even the bugs and the bluebird,” Amanda Lynn said.

Amanda Lynn connected with the church through a stylist friend who had a client, Serafina Palandech, mention that St. Stephen’s was interested in painting a mural in the cafeteria, which was under construction at the time. Palandech, who serves on the church’s board of directors, became a fan of Amanda Lynn’s work and recommended her for the position in August.

The newly decorated cafe is the brainchild of Christy Laborda Harris, the church’s priest, and other church members who dreamed of creating a worship-free space where people could gather. The space would be “welcoming to people of all different spiritual paths, so it would be much less overtly Christian than the interior space,” Harris said.

When Harris arrived at St. Stephen’s in 2011, most of the property was an empty field and not in use.

The cafe is an effort to change that and construction began in February 2023.

The project is “pretty unique,” Harris said. “I know of some churches in the country that have opened cafes or restaurants, but I don’t know of any in Sebastopol.”

Construction was paid for out of the church’s investment fund, which has been boosted by “significant gifts” given to St. Stephen’s by members, and a $145,000 grant received in 2020 from United Thank Offeringan Episcopal organization focused on promoting gratitude and supporting innovative projects around the world, he said.

The church rents out some of its space for music classes and welcomes about 200 students a week to the property, according to Harris, some of whom he hopes will be patrons of the cafe.

“First we want to offer food when they and others are here,” he said, including “a really good breakfast burrito,” snacks, salads and lunch items.

Harris hopes to open the cafe in early 2025.

The mural cost $2,750 (Amanda Lynn gave the church a 50% discount) and the church is raising money. online cover it and buy games, kitchen utensils and other items for the cafeteria.

“I love painting, it’s my passion and my true passion is bringing joy to the public through painting,” Amanda Lynn said.

Harris also hopes the mural and cafe will bring joy to the community.

“The mural is a great joy because we are building the kitchen to create and feed this community. Environmental health doesn’t require a beautiful mural, but it is something of joy, fantasy and joy. I hope it sends the message that this is a playground for all ages,” Harris said.

St. Stephen’s and The Playground Café are located at 500 Robinson Road in Sebastopol.

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