The Power of a School Mural: Engagement, Beautification, Belonging, and Community
VIDEO STORY - The Power of a School Mural: Engagement, Beautification, Belonging, and Community. A look at Alice Birney Elementary’s powerful arts integration project that unified students, connected community, and beautified the school.
In an incredible end to the 2024 school year, the students of Alice Birney Elementary embarked on a one-of-a-kind art project to adorn their school garden.
Principal Kristin Sobilo explored integrating the arts into the school curriculum as a tool for engagement and solidifying standards. She collaborated with Leslie Castellano from the local non-profit organization, the Ink People, and together, they worked on and received a California Arts Council grant to support artists in schools. With the grant, they introduced Modules - specific projects that would encompass various visual and performing art standards. One of the modules was centered around an awe-inspiring art mural.
Talented local mural artists Blake Reagan and Lucas Thornton were enlisted to bring the vision to life. Together with third and fourth-grade students, they conceptualized a captivating mural that encapsulated the essence of the students and their learning environment, echoing the school motto: "Care for Self, Care for Others, and Care for the Earth."
The students delved into a world of visual arts techniques and learned about the intricacies of creating a mural. They were involved in every step of the process, from contributing to the design to outlining the sketch and painting the mural panels. This endeavor was not just an arts integration project and a means of beautifying the school, but also a powerful tool for engagement that fostered a sense of belonging and nourished community spirit.
Get ready to be inspired by watching the mural come to fruition and learning about its significance to Alice Birney's school culture. In this video, you’ll hear from Principal Sobilo, enthusiastic students, and the brilliant artists Reagan and Thornton.
Thank you to the Alice Birney staff, students, mural artists, and the Ink People, for all your hard work in making this project happen. Thank you to the California Arts Council for supporting the arts in our schools.
