On the face of the Schlegel Park Pool building, a vivid underwater world has emerged — one not filled with water, but with color, creativity, and community spirit. The expansive mural, painted by local artist Jean Esther, transforms the pool’s entrance into a portal to the deep sea, teeming with marine life and imagination. It’s a piece that now welcomes visitors not just to swim, but to pause, reflect, and admire.
This is not just a mural; it’s a story — and Jean Esther is its author.
Originally commissioned to paint a smaller mural at the rear concession stand inside the pool gates, Esther’s work quickly drew attention. When city staff saw what he created behind the scenes, they had a simple idea: why stop there? What began as a contained art project evolved into a sweeping 23-hour transformation of the entire front of the pool house — a first-of-its-kind piece for the artist and the city alike.
“This is my biggest mural thus far,” Esther said during a recent interview. “I’m just excited to be able to share what I do with my own community.”
A window into the deep
The mural stretches across the entire exterior of the Schlegel Park Pool building, immersing visitors in a vibrant underwater world. A massive red-orange octopus unfurls its tentacles between rocky outcroppings, while a sea turtle glides through a gradient of aquatic blue. On another panel, dolphins swim toward the viewer and orcas drift through what appears to be the ruins of an underwater city — complete with columns, silhouettes of submerged architecture, and coral-covered pathways.
Esther’s use of color and motion draws the eye across the building. Layers of marine life — jellyfish, schools of tropical fish, seaweed, coral, and anemones — give the wall a sense of movement and story. Even the snack stand windows are integrated into the mural, surrounded by reef scenes and playful dolphins, turning a functional space into part of the artwork itself.
It’s not just an ocean scene — it’s an imaginative reimagining of what a public space can feel like. The effect is immersive, joyful, and reflective of Esther’s style: fluid, bold, and community-oriented.
A resident artist at heart
Jean Esther may not hold an official city title, but to many, he’s already Reading’s resident artist. “He works for the Reading Area Water Authority, and in his spare time, he creates masterpieces,” said Daphne Klahr, executive director of the Reading Recreation Commission. “He’s amazing with our kids. He comes down to the rec center, shares his talent, and teaches them to paint murals of their own.”
His small studio, affectionately known as “The Art Corner,” is where he cultivates his vision and inspires the next generation of artists. Esther is self-taught, though he credits his early years and time at the GoggleWorks for shaping his approach. “I’ve been doing this for over 20 years,” he said. “I teach kids, seniors, my peers. I paint, draw, host events. I’m just constantly creating.”
The mural at Schlegel Park Pool marks a turning point — both for Esther and for public art in Reading. What started with one wall has sparked a broader movement. According to Esther and city officials, he’s already been tapped for at least three more mural projects across the city’s parks.
Art as a catalyst for community
City leaders see Esther’s work not only as beautification, but as part of a larger cultural revival. “There’s a real correlation between the proliferation of the arts and the city on a rebound,” said Council President Donna Reed. “This mural shows the sheer amount of talent we have right here in Reading.”
Mayor Eddie Morán echoed that sentiment, calling the project a symbol of collaboration between city departments, local artists, and civic leadership. “When we work together, this is what happens,” he said. “We’re going to do everything in our power to beautify each and every one of our communities.”
District 1 Councilor Vanessa Campos, who represents the neighborhood where the pool is located, praised Esther for his contagious energy and heartfelt commitment to the city. “The pride you have in your work is what we need,” she told him. “This is about bringing the community together.”
More to come
For Jean Esther, the mural is both a milestone and a beginning. His passion for art — and for sharing it — shows no signs of slowing. In addition to future murals, Esther continues to teach, mentor, and promote the arts through his platforms, including his brand Art Corner Crew and his animation and graphic novel series Meta Sabian.
He’s also documenting his process, sharing behind-the-scenes videos and updates on social media to inspire others to create. “I live to do art and to inspire,” he said. “Anything I can do to beautify any part of this city — I’m here for it.”
As Reading continues its creative resurgence, it’s clear that Esther’s work is not only making a visual impact — it’s shaping a cultural one. And if the Schlegel Park Pool mural is any indication, the city’s future looks as colorful as the coral reefs now dancing across its public walls.
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Follow Jean Esther and his projects:
Website: artcorner.net
Social Media: @ArtCornerCrew on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
Graphic Novel & Animation: Meta Sabian
Visit the mural:
Schlegel Park Pool, 100 E. Wyomissing Blvd, Reading, PA 19611
