At Urban Academy, creativity knows no bounds. Recently, students from Art Studio 11 and 12 embarked on a transformative journey to enrich our school environment through vibrant murals. This community-driven initiative not only added colour to our walls but also deepened connections and embodied our school’s values.
Planning and Preparation
Five talented students eagerly took up the challenge to design and paint murals that would resonate with our school community. Working individually or in collaborative pairs, they began by brainstorming ideas that would embody themes of belonging and inspiration. After meticulous planning, including selecting walls, taking measurements, choosing paint samples, and calculating budgets, they presented their proposals to a panel of eight school administrators, including Mr. Slinger and Ms. Ball. Although this may seem like an intimidating situation for five high school students, they presented their ideas, rationales, and designs with confidence and open-mindedness for feedback.
With administrative approval secured, the students consulted with Mr. Kuyzk and prepared their surfaces, including cleaning, sanding and priming the wall to ensure the paint would adhere properly. Then, the real fun part began: sketching and painting! Throughout the process, students were faced with creative problems, including -2 degree weather, and demonstrated resilience and perseverance as what may have initially seemed like a “small project” became a six-month commitment. Some dedicated time outside of class to ensure that their artistic visions truly came to fruition and were cohesive artworks.
Artistry in Action
The project culminated in the artists documenting their work through a written Artist Statement that will soon accompany their respective murals on a printed plaque. Photos and videos were taken from beginning to end to visually document their process and share with the community. These students took pride in their contribution to personalizing our spaces and the lasting impact of their work.
Inspiring Future Generations
Each mural tells a unique story, reflecting themes of community, diversity, and belonging. They stand as enduring symbols of creativity and collaboration at Urban Academy, inspiring future student-led initiatives and leaving a lasting impact on all who encounter them.
At Urban Academy, we celebrate the power of art to transform spaces and unite communities. Stay tuned as we continue to empower our students to explore, create, and innovate.