Mural painting has gotten a bad rap at Staples. In comments on “06880” education-related posts, an art department course by that name became shorthand for frivolousness and wasted resources.
The semester-long course is over, and the results are in.
A professional-looking mural now enlivens the World Language Department wing. In lively colors and eye-catching vistas, it portrays the various cultures underlying the many languages studied in the high school.
Developing the mural was not easy. Students researched history and architecture, studied perspective, and delved into the chemistry of paint — all before beginning their 1st sketch.
Along the way they learned many lessons — including, but not limited to, teamwork and art.
One of the major criticisms of the new Staples building is that its long halls and institutional walls resemble (depending on your point of view) an office building, airline terminal, factory, hospital or prison.
The mural class plans to change that. In semesters to come they hope to transform the music, science, math, English and social studies wings into warm, attractive places worthy of the students and teachers who spend every day there.
They might also spruce up the athletic department’s walls. If they truly want a challenge, they might even attack the cavernous Staples fieldhouse.
Though da Vinci himself might have fled from that task.
In a reverse Sputnik moment, the BOE, at Landon’s recommendation, elminated math and science courses and replaced them in part with a course in mural painting.
Jeffxs strikes again.
Cheaper than hiring painters.
At $19,500 per student per year maybe not.
We need more painters in the States to paint the underpasses when the Chinese take over.
As a mural painter (and I’ve painted them in schools, libraries, pediatric offices, homes, etc.) I am SO impressed and thrilled that this class exists at Staples. It creates a sense of belonging and empowerment for the students to be able alter the atmosphere by enhancing it with their well-planned and thought-out artwork.
That is SO fantastic! I had always dreamt of something like this occurring in a space at staples. The walls are so bare and gawdy with that yellowish tint of urine. Very happy to see the vast art collection accompanied by independent work. Appropriate that the prideful world language department has crowned the new trent.
You need both math and science AND art to execute this masterpiece. Job well done.
Very nice, very nice indeed. At first glance, I thought that was the flag waving over the Alamo in the mural. Guess not. Vast improvement inside over the Home Depot look-a-like on the out. Sorry, I liked the old campus.
Dan,
Can you show up pictures of the murals the kids are doing? This is a wonderful addition to a very rich art program in our school. We are so fortunate to be able to nurture so many kids with so much talent in our town.
I am convinced that ALL kids come into this world with inate talents that need nurturing. We lose so much in bad, careless schools. All kids have potential to contribute creativity and brain power to our country. The schools have to help them develope all that. We need them to make a better future.
‘Estelle T. Margolis