“Love is Legacy” Mural With Toki Middle School

See and read about the updated mural here!

I kicked off the year teaming up with the Bubbler and 8th grade students at Toki Middle School in Madison, WI, USA. Together we created an indoor panel mural and art projects based on their personal legacy; the message they’d like to share with the world. They had the option of expressing themselves through art, spoken word, animation or short stories to present their passion to the entire school.

We workshop leaders had the pleasure of introducing ourselves alongside Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes. The choice of which workshop to join was then left up to the students and their teachers. Being the first year art was an option, we were excited to see what our two weeks together would bring! We set out getting to know new methods of creating and diving deeper into what each student truly cares about. I was completely taken aback by their interest in causes like gun control, human rights, diversity in government and environmental protection. With scrap paper, prints, paint markers and various other crafting materials covering the room, by the end of week 1, it was time to dive into mural ideas. During our brainstorming sessions, I asked everyone to put 1 word or image on a post-it representing their legacy. Gathering these & papers filled out before break with their personal amendments, I went to work creating 3 mural images to choose from. Walking the halls throughout the week, all of these thoughts kept creeping in from my personal experience in middle school so when Monday hit, something in me said it was a reason I was there. Being in front of the group, heat rose in my chest as I got out the words of who I am and that I know what they’re going through. I shared that I was bullied for many years and told I was weird, had a friend commit suicide when I was just a year older than they are. I didn’t have financial support for school and since adults said I couldn’t make money as an artist, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life and I felt pressured to figure it out. I explained no matter your journey, you can always find your purpose. Your interests may change and that’s okay, as long as you are coming from a place of integrity and push yourself towards your goals, you’ll make it. I may not be the most popular artist in the world, but every time I pick up a spray can or brush, I feel alive. I’m here to share my passion with you, tell you my story to give you faith in finding yours, too. Speaking from my heart- the room was quiet…

Then we took a vote. Showing designs I worked on over the weekend, each group chose their favorite (with their eyes closed, so no copying), and to my surprise we had the same idea. Two groups wanted to combine the sunrise with their favorite pick, so after school, I got to work sketching it out on the three panels. Initially the thought was to split the three into separate designs for each class, but I decided it would be way more fun to work together through the three groups on one solid picture. The image chosen has waves- an idea that came directly from a student, a sunrise representing a new day, blue sign language spelling LOVE- the number one word they chose. They also had equality, respect and kindness, which automatically arise when you are coming from a place of love. Diversity is represented via the surrounding printed translations of love using the languages spoken by students in the school. Before the paint touched the panels, while I was taking the first Friday to design, co-teachers Carlee and Ollie had the group write their word or phrase on a blank panel to seal our messages into the background. Everyone had a chance to paint as we switched out the panels each day, or the option of working on their own projects in a medium of their choice. Not all of these students called themselves artists, but seeing their skills shine through in different techniques gave them confidence. Even more amazing was transforming their ideas into an inspirational message they could help create and walk by every day.

The end of week 2 they were able to finish their personal legacy projects as mural production came to an end. All skill levels were welcome, from stenciling to just filling in lines and adding a layer of paint to the rays. The top personal projects from each group were chosen along with the chance to present the mural to the whole school at the unveiling. It was beautiful to hear the interpretation from one student, who noted that people who don’t normally get along were helping each other, calmly, working together on the mural. =) Presentation day arrived the following Thursday and we were finally able to share our hard work and see what the other groups had been up to. Listening to spoken word, short stories and seeing our projects on the screen, I realize these kids care about having a voice. Carlee, Ollie and I pulled the sheet from the panels to reveal our message as the gym broke out in genuine applause. To be able to share my gift in the form of something this school and these students can be proud of, giving encouragement and a positive message brings a tear to my eye. We had some difficult days with creative blocks and messes to clean up, but in the end we made it, together. They were left with new skills, courage in creating and a powerful piece of art just outside their school library.

I would like to thank the other workshop leaders: Nate Clark & Rob Dz- check out their projects here!, my co-instructor, Carlee from the Madison Public Library Bubbler Program who made most of these projects a breeze. Ollie, who helped with the individual projects as well during week one and brought in Spaghetti the bearded therapy dragon, Mr. Negron, the linguistics teacher who had the awesome idea of writing “Love” in the different languages and took most of these great pics, all the students, for sharing their truth with us, and having fun doing it - finally Ms. Imhoff of Toki Middle School (who lent us her room to get crafty) and Jesse of the Madison Public Library Bubbler Program, both have been working with students on this project for years and gave me the opportunity to be part of the first art session. Much love, Toki Middle School & Bubbler!

READ ABOUT THE UPDATED MURAL HERE!