By Katarine Miller
Glacier Creek Journalism Club Staff Writer
People say that life imitates art, but in the halls of Glacier Creek and Park, art seems to be imitating life.
The goal of the new murals installed at both schools is to reflect the culture and beliefs of the students while also providing a positive and beautiful sight. As of 2022, five murals have been painted in Glacier Creek Middle School and one new installation in Park Elementary.
At Glacier Creek, the muralists come right from their school.
“Students that participate in Mural Club work together to create an approved image,” says Ms. Castillo, a bilingual paraeducator at the school. “The murals on the walls reflect the students’ art styles and themes. It also gives them the opportunity to learn new techniques in painting.”
Ms. Castillo has a specific reason for installing the murals.
“My artwork is all about identity, and I wanted to bring that to the school. I wanted kids to express themselves and figure out who they are and show the things that they like, and embrace their background and share with other people.”
The murals reflect the students’ identities with unity and represent different nationalities.
“Some of the murals represent Mexican Folkloric dances.” Castillo says.
“Newcomers that are not familiar with the school have mentioned how the murals helped identify the different grade levels. Many of the students love the murals because it adds happiness to the school.”
Park Elementary has taken a different approach and installed a room-sized mural in their hallway, along a wheelchair ramp in the new installation of their school. This one is not only
made by the students of Park, but assisted by an outside organization, aiming to make schools more lively and fun.
“Our mural was designed by Dane Arts Mural Arts (DAMA),” says Ms. Schomer, the Principal of Park Elementary. "This is the organization we worked with to bring our vision of diversity and welcoming ALL people to Park alive! They asked us questions, listened to our responses, and then sent several draft murals.”
The staff at Park Elementary were asked to look at the drafts and then vote on which one they liked the best. From there, they worked together to tweak the design to what we see today.
All students and many of the staff worked together to paint the mural throughout the week.
Ms. Schomer added, “The DAMA folks spent three days in our art room and had canvas and paint ready to go during every single art class so each student could make their mark at Park via the mural.”
Equality is Ms. Schomer’s main goal.
“After a district-wide equity audit, it was determined that murals are one way to send a welcoming message to all people who enter our schools. Each school will be working on a mural to recognize ALL students. Murals were prioritized, and Park was one of the first to move forward with the project. We are so incredibly grateful to be supported in this way,” she said.
The mural itself shows lots of this equality, as many different ethnicities, abilities, genders, and cultures are represented in the Park School mural.
“Being the school with the highest percentage of white students, it is important to us that our students of color see themselves here at Park and know that they are seen, heard, and valued by all of us.”
Park Elementary has a very outdoor-focused curriculum and wanted to reflect this through their
mural, as well as including a homage to the school’s beloved custodian, Mr. Peanuts.
The community and the students, as well, love this new mural.
“The responses have been positive! When people are involved in a project and then see it come to life, it means so much more. I hope the community at large appreciates the nod to Mr. Peanuts - who “came with the land”, and the land acknowledgment to the Ho-Chunk Nation for being the first settlers on this land.”
There are hidden details on this mural that you may miss if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
“The bubbles turning into butterflies signify growth and change,” says Ms. Schomer. “All who enter our doors are not the same as when they leave our doors as there is a beautiful metamorphosis that occurs. Park staff, caregivers, and our community are all privileged to witness and support that growth and change.”
Both these murals were made with hard work and care, and each of them strives to show equality to their respective schools and students.
This article was written by 7th grader Katarine Miller. She is a member of the Glacier Creek Journalism Club.
