The design of the Van Nuys Child Development Center was nearly complete when artist Jacqueline Dreager was asked by Supervisor Yaroslavsky’s office to consider ways to enhance the building with artwork that children would enjoy. She animated an elongated colored band wrapped around the building's façade at eye level with bold, intensely colored animal elements interacting across the expanse. Butterfly, dragonfly, lizard, flying reptile, squid, octopus, lemur, prehistoric shark, and a sea serpent intertwine with plant life. Dreager hopes Tall Tails will spark the curiosity of children and spur their imaginations. What are these animals and plants? Why are their tails alike or different? Why is the lemur's tail reaching for the tail of a prehistoric shark?

The Animals of Tall Tails

The Van Nuys Child Development Center is the first County-built childcare center. The state-of-the-art facility will enable the County to provide affordable childcare to its employees. Funds for the entire project were allocated by the Third Supervisorial District.

About the Artist: The work of Jacqueline Dreager, who lives in the Montecito Heights section of Los Angeles, can be seen in many locations around the County. She collaborated on the design of South Hope Park, a pocket-park in downtown Los Angeles; created a series of sculptures for the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica; and is responsible for a landscaped garden area with sculptures in Taylor Yard adjacent to the Metro Link Yard and the LA River in Cypress Park. Dreager holds Fine Arts degrees from the Otis Arts Institute and the Institute of Experimental Printmaking.