Students in grade 3 participated in a curriculum aligned visual arts project where they worked together to create a colourful mural for their stairwell. This was a collaborative project where each grade 3 student participated by designing and painting one flower or butterfly. The remaining elements of the mural were painted by local artist, Judy Willemsma. Students learned about elements of design, including colours, lines and shapes. They received one-on-one instruction and demonstration as they learned about painting techniques and created non-representational patterns and designs.

The overall process of the mural project included brainstorming, rough copies, revisions, individual creative plans, execution of planned ideas and culmination with the finished mural. Similar processes can be found across the Ontario curriculum. Students can identify their own artistic contributions within the mural and recognize how their individual efforts contribute to the overall success of the project. Students were set up for artistic success and then their creativity was showcased.

The mural is a demonstration of the Ontario Visual Arts Curriculum where it states (starting at the grade 1 level) that students should produce 2 and 3-dimensional artwork that express ideas, thoughts, feelings and experiences. A joyful, child-friendly feeling was expressed in this mural through the use of bright, light colours and through the use of curved, smooth lines and shapes. In contrast, a less joyful feeling for a small rain-storm was created through the use of dark and dull colours and rough textures. Broken, uneven diagonal lines create an uncomfortable, unbalanced feeling. The contrast in artistic expression was included in the mural as a demonstration and learning tool for all students.