Why a Mural?
Remember...this project isn't just a mural.
It is an extended artistic process that involves JM community input on design,
JM community work on creation, JM community in celebration.
What Story Could Our Walls Tell?
A vibrant series of interconnected mural vignettes will transform the entire John Marshall entrance, starting at the Performing Arts Wing and culminating with the Cafeteria, encompassing the Main Entrance and Outdoor Patio along the way.
Phases of this Extended Artistic Process
01
IDENTITY PROJECT
Students and staff explored individual identity and created six word identity statements.
(Winter-Spring 2023)
02
DESIGN
Artist meets with a variety of JM stakeholders to identify themes.
(January 2024)
03
FABRICATION
JM stakeholders work alongside the artist to create the mural panels and mosaic pieces - the process is accessible to all.
(Spring 2024)
04
INSTALLATION
The mural vignettes and mosaic pieces are permanently installed and celebrated onto the walls of JM.
(September 2024)
Images from Phase 2: Design
Greta, lead artist, spent a week of residency at JM in January to meet with and learn from a variety of people from our JM community. She met with over 600 students, staff, family members and alumni...and they had a lot to share. She will use all of this information to help inform what to put into the mural. During the month of February, the JM community will be invited to give feedback on the mural as we work collectively to finalize the design. During the month of March, the artist tweaked her Mural Design multiple times, as additional feedback was provided by JM stakeholers. It was incredible to watch the transformation of where it started to where it ended up.
Images from Phase 3: Fabrication
In April, Greta & Gabi came to JM for a week of mural painting and mosaic creating. During that week, one room in our school was transformed into a paint studio, with hundreds of students & staff coming to paint and 'make their mark' on the mural each day. Upstairs, in our ceramics classroom, students were hard at work designing & building the 27 tiled mosaic stars that will be incorporated into the mural installation. Students learned to design, cut and adhere the mosaics. Each group designed unique patterns that represented their cultures, or things of high significance to them & our community. The final Saturday, we held a Community Paint Party with around 300 people, from all facets of our community, showing up to paint together. It was awesome to watch new friendship forged, pride taken, and joy in the process.
