PADAYON
2025 Street Wise Mural Festival
Location: East facing wall of Shining Mountain Waldorf High School, 1100 Violet Ave, Boulder, CO 80304
Photos by Jeff Goldberg and Nonie Cruzado
The boy’s joyful procession in PADAYON, Nonie Cruzado’s mural for #2025SWMF, magnificently channels the Visayan word meaning forward or continue.
A young boy dressed in a marching band costume joyfully plays the trumpet. His coattails fly in the wind behind him as his shoulder tassels sway. A large paper hat adorns his head. The boy marches forward confidently although his shoe laces remain untied, emphasizing the jovial and carefree nature of the scene. From his trumpet flows music along with a lighthearted band of blue butterflies.
Behind the boy, the scene appears swathed in sunshine, the sun’s beams reaching all edges of the wall. White flowers bloom in the corners, framing the boy’s procession. A lone blue jay watches as the boy plays. Psychedelic swirls of yellow and blue criss-cross the wall, but spiky purple clouds also appear. Nonie adds these dark clouds to remind the viewer of the unavoidable gloomy days in one’s life. However, these dark clouds are outnumbered by the lighter elements, illuminating the fact that the dark days, while painful, allow us to appreciate the good times.
Inspired by an old sketch, the marching boy later became Nonie’s logo. He represents the child in all of us, a source of joy and inspiration we draw from whenever we face difficulties. Our inner child is aware of uncertainty but chooses to move forward, carrying a love for life that lights the way. Challenges are part of everyone’s story, but we can’t let them overshadow joy, resilience, and hope.
The 15 ft. by 19 ft. mural adorns an exterior wall of Shining Mountain Waldorf School. Prior to painting, Nonie presented his sketch to students, teachers, and administrators for their feedback. Students sent Nonie notes with their thoughts and ideas about the mural, which the artist incorporated into the final design.
About the Artist:
Nonie Cruzado is a Filipino visual artist and multidisciplinary creative whose work is deeply rooted in personal experiences, cultural identity, and philosophy. Born and raised in the Philippines, he moved to San Diego in 2014 and is now based in Boulder, Colorado. He majored in Painting at the University of Santo Tomas College of Fine Arts and Design, an education that provided a strong foundation for his evolving artistic practice.
His works have been showcased in galleries across the United States and internationally, with exhibitions in California, USA; Makati, Philippines; and Venice, Italy. Nonie continues to expand his artistic exploration while contributing to the contemporary art scene.
Nonie’s creative journey spans various disciplines, including traditional and digital mediums. He works with pencil drawings, paintings, digital art, murals and film, pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling. His work often reflects themes of cultural heritage, migration, memory, and identity, drawing from his own experiences as a Filipino immigrant navigating new landscapes.