The Art Club Spins Optimism Through Painting
By Elizabeth Jones | Observer Contributor
Photo by Tom Hill Jr.
Sending a message through art in a year that seemed dominated by tragedy, a mural outside the advising office was created by four members of the art club.
The team began working in January and after an estimated 130 hours, the mural was completed in March.
Photo by Brianna Stevens
“It is a tribute to all the tragedies of 2017,” said Allyson Bois, Art Club President. She was joined by the Art Club Vice President Camilo Alamares; Treasurer Blake Denmark; and Nicholas Lutz.
For the participating artists, not only was the mural a tribute to those who suffered, but it was also a way to connect with each other in the wake of so much negativity. “It helped lighten the mood,” said Lutz. “It felt like a way to bring people together.” After completing the mural, Bois said, “I felt success, excitement, and gratitude.”
The idea to do a mural was suggested by Professor Thomas Matsuda, Chair of the Art Department. The team immediately started brainstorming ideas for the mural.
Alamares was the one who came up with the final design after a collaborative process, taking varying ideas into consideration.
He found a way to incorporate many of the suggestions into one cohesive image. Alamares then brought the idea and design to President Vander Hooven, who was very supportive.
“The President was on board from the moment we brought it up,” said Alamares.
This is not the first time the Art Club has done a community project like this. This past summer they were part of a “Beautify the Town” project, where they painted electrical boxes as well as a mural for the Gardner Ale House.
When asked if they would like to do any other murals for the school, Bois spoke of two projects they are already considering: a mural for outside of the Veteran’s Center and another for the library with a theme of education.
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