I just finished a new mural at Las Estrellas Dual Language School in Northeast Minneapolis, MN. It features five starlike, dancing figures painted in the school’s brand color palette, with English/Spanish text surrounding each shape. The colors used and their meaning are mirrored in the text;
Pink - We are student centered - Student Centered/Centradas en el estudiante
Green - We are dual language - Bilingual/Bilingues
Red - We value equity - Equity/Equidad
Yellow - We are multicultural - Multicultural/Multiculturales
Blue - We are all gifted - Gifted/Dotados
This mural project was actually initiated a year ago when one of the Las Estrellas elementary school teachers was selected to receive the 2023 Minneapolis Educator Leadership Awards (MELA). Administered by the organization Achieve Twin Cities, in partnership with the John & Denise Graves Foundation, the award “funds creative projects that impact student achievement, go above and beyond to better students' lives outside the classroom, and improve our school communities.” Upon receiving the award, the teacher contacted me about painting a mural at her school that focused on its student values. After a couple of idea sessions, we came up with a plan of action for the painting.
The mural took about three days to complete. And believe it or not… the biggest obstacle was actually the hot weather (in Mpls?!?! I know right?) But on most days, it was just easier to start painting after 2 pm when the sun was behind the building and it wasn’t too hot.
But when all was said and done, the project went smoothly! Hopefully future students will be able to find some sort of inspiration from the work. Thanks to everyone involved who helped to bring this mural to fruition!! I appreciate it!
Let’s do it again!
