“Save the Ocean” isn’t just a slogan. It’s a plea embodied by the Surfing Madonna Mural right here in Encinitas. The Surfing Madonna is more than art. It is a symbol of community. It is a testament to the power of art to inspire change.
This 10×10 feet mosaic depicts the Virgin of Guadalupe on a surfboard. She rides a wave with hands in prayer. Mark Patterson created this iconic image. He installed it covertly with his friend Bob Nichols. They dressed as construction workers. This happened on April 22, 2011, which was both Good Friday and Earth Day.
The Surfing Madonna’s installation wasn’t without controversy. Because it lacked prior permission, the city considered it graffiti. Officials even spent $2,000 to figure out how to remove it without damage. Patterson stepped forward. He accepted responsibility. He was fined $500. He paid $6,000 for its removal. The city let Patterson keep the mosaic.
Responses were mixed. Some Catholics and Latinos found it offensive. Others saw it as a symbol of their Mexican heritage. A local Catholic priest even wanted to display it in his church.
The state worried about separation of church and state. It denied a request to place the Surfing Madonna at Moonlight Beach State Park’s entrance. The Surfing Madonna was briefly at Cafe Ipe in Leucadia.
Now, the Surfing Madonna has a permanent home. It is across the street from its original spot. It is now in Surfing Madonna Park at Leucadia Pizzeria. This location is on the corner of Highway 101 and Encinitas Boulevard.
The Surfing Madonna inspired the Surfing Madonna Oceans Project. Mark Patterson and Bob Nichols founded it. Since 2013, it has donated nearly $600,000 to local ocean, beach, park, and humanitarian programs.
In 2014, the Surfing Madonna Oceans Project raised $100,000 for Encinitas. This happened through its 2nd Annual Surfing Madonna “Save the Ocean” 5K/10K and 10 Mile Beach Run/Walk.
The Surfing Madonna Foundation donated $60,000 to local causes. $20,000 went to Solana Beach’s skatepark. $40,000 went to the Encinitas Arts Culture and Ecology Alliance.
The Project supports various initiatives. These include surf camps for special needs children. They also give oceanography scholarships. They provide marine mammal rescue equipment. They offer student grants for ocean projects. Floating beach wheelchairs and mobility mats are also donated. These help disabled people access Moonlight Beach.
Mark Patterson, the artist behind the Surfing Madonna, passed away in September 2023. He was 70. His legacy lives on through his art and the Surfing Madonna Oceans Project. The Surfing Madonna continues to inspire ocean conservation and community support. It reminds us to cherish our oceans. It also reminds us to support one another.