A new mural is nearing completion in the lower C building, the fourth to be started since the reconstruction of Chapel Hill High School.
The mural, found in the Exceptional Children hallway on the first floor of the C building, is titled The Inclusivity Garden and is a depiction of a butterfly spreading its wings.
Junior Bella Jackson-Ruybal conceptualized the mural for an assignment in Paul Estrada’s art class; students were asked to create a piece for the National PTA Reflections Art Program with the theme of “I am hopeful because…”
“The mural is based on the concept of what hope can be and what it means in our community,” she said.
Jackson-Ruybal shared that the mural is a community piece with input from students on what it means to be inclusive and to have hope at the school. “I wanted to create something to bring life into this part of the school,” she said.
Estrada supervises the process of adding new artwork to the halls of Chapel Hill High School and emphasized the importance of student-created murals.
“It’s an opportunity for them to take ownership of the space,” he said.
The Inclusivity Garden has been pieced together by a small group of Art 3 students. Jackson-Ruybal began the mural roughly six months ago and was assisted by juniors Talia Riggsbee and Matilda Gannon.
Riggsbee said her involvement with the mural has challenged her as an artist but has been a rewarding process.
“The process of painting a mural is a lot different than creating other art. Since it’s so large and constantly on display, you’re always getting feedback,” Riggsbee said. “The feedback was definitely my favorite part of the process, even if it was just seeing someone smile as they walked past or overhearing comments on the mural between class changes. It feels good to know that you’ve made a positive impact on someone’s day.”
The group also collaborated with the Exceptional Children classes on the hall.
Exceptional Children teacher Jay Cotton, the faculty advisor of the project, shared that the process has been very special. “The mural has a big butterfly, which is significant to us because it symbolizes change and how we as people evolve over time,” Cotton said.
The pieces of art that cover the halls of Chapel Hill High School are intended to reflect the identities and cultures of the diverse student body. For example, the mural in the studies wing is autobiographical, a depiction of a Karen alumna’s homeland.
Estrada emphasized the school’s murals are “made by the community for the community.”
While originally Jackson-Ruybal thought the mural would be completed by the end of the school year, she said it has progressed more quickly than expected, and she anticipates it will be done by spring break.
