The Observer Newspapers | Hunters Woods Students Create Public Art Mural

May 9, 2008

Hunters Woods Students Create Public Art Mural

By Leslie Perales

Observer Staff Writer

Sixth-grade students at Hunters Woods Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences left their mark on the school last week, designing and creating a large mural that will be displayed outside the school for years to come. Pennsylvania artist Mike Pilato visited the school and worked with the students on the mural, which was part of the school's artist-in-residence program.

"It's been fantastic, it's very rewarding for them," said Norma Morris, art specialist at Hunters Woods. "They love it; they're excited."

Morris said that at the beginning of the project, which is funded by the school's parent-teacher association, students created drawings and sketches of things they would remember most about their time at Hunters Woods. Morris and Wendy Pierce and Mary D'Amico, also art specialists at the school, then selected which sketches would be included in the mural.

Some of the highlights include paintings of the school mascot and classmates Claire Mulrooney and Amy Boyle-Steele, as well as the students' handprints. Morris said Claire, who uses a wheelchair, was included in the mural because the students wanted to remember that people come in all shapes and sizes and have varying abilities. "It shows their compassion and love and respect for those that are disabled," Morris said.

She said the students wanted to showcase Amy in the mural because she is fighting cancer. Amy no longer attends Hunters Woods, but many students gather in groups in the morning before class to remember her and pray for her, Morris said. The students also asked to feature teacher Louis Stefano, who recently underwent surgery and is recovering, in the mural. "You really feel the love here," Pilato said. "Love for one another, which is rare today."

On Saturday, the students finished the mural and guests were able to see it. Reston's founder Bob Simon was featured in the mural and he added his handprint to the work on Saturday.

In addition to designing the mural, the students painted their handprints on large sheets of paper and then wrote their memories of the school next to the prints. Morris said she plans to bind the papers in a book, which will be kept at the school. Some of Amy's friends also created handprint memories of her and Morris said they gave those to Amy's parents.

Pilato, a muralist from Pennsylvania, was chosen to work with the students because his twin brother had taken part in the artist-in-residence program previously. Morris said when she looked at Pilato's Web site she thought his work complemented their vision.

Pilato said art is not only about creating something beautiful, but also about respecting and praising your community and using art to heal. He said it is important for the students to take part in something that will make someone feel better. "It's just a joy, they're all determined, they all want to take part in it," he said.

Pilato also runs the Public Art Academy, where he teaches students about public art and what it means to provide the community with art. He said public art projects show respect for the community and help areas heal. Regardless of where he teaches, Pilato said he hopes he motivates students to take every opportunity possible to share the beauty in the world.