Students in grades 7 and 8 participated in a mural making project in the “Air” stairwell. Each student used elements of design, including lines, colours, shapes, textures and more, as they designed and painted their own space within the wind swirls in this mural design.

Taking inspiration from the famous artist, Vincent Van Gogh, students learned about the principle of rhythm and then considered this idea for their own artwork. A valuable message about the roll of trees, and their important function in keeping our air clean, was included in the subject matter of this mural. Elements of design, including dull colours and zigzag lines, were used to represent unclean air. After the air is filtered through the trees the elements of design change to clean blues and pleasant curved lines to represent the cleaned air.

Integrating with the science curriculum, the subject matter also included elements of flight such as kites, hot-air balloons and the space shuttle.

This project aligned with the Ontario Visual Arts curriculum. Each participant received one-on-one instruction and demonstration. Students are able to identify their own artwork within the group project and recognize how their unique artwork has contributed to the overall success of the mural. Students were set up for artistic success and then their creativity was showcased.

Silhouetted shapes of children reflect the population of the school.

Wind turbines turn in the "Van Gogh swirls" painted by the students.

The before pictures: