Story and photo by www.PhotoByVivian.com
Founded in 1984 by Jeffrey Purchin, the 5 Cities Swim School has been teaching children how to swim for more than 30 years. They offer programs for seniors and adults, recreational swimming, swim classes for toddlers and the pool is even available to rent for parties.
When Purchin attended a swim school conference in North Carolina, he visited a facility that had colorful fish sculptures that caught his eye. They were made by a French sculptor Jean Pierre Feral. It just so happened that Purchin had a trip planned to visit France, so he made arrangements to meet Feral. Through an interpreter, Purchin told him about the 5 Cities Swim School and that they wanted to bring the magic of the artist’s work into their facility.
Purchin later sent Feral a photo of the facility at 425 Traffic Way in Arroyo Grande, and Feral designed 38 fish to be displayed in the swim school.
Jean Pierre Feral’s sculptures can be seen in many countries as well as Disney World in Paris, and right here in Arroyo Grande.
