An after school program became a time of discovery for many R.O.
Hardin School students this year, giving them the opportunity to
find the artist within themselves and work together as they
explored what the word peace means to them.
About 55 third through fifth graders teamed up with an art
teacher from Gavilan College and his students to design and paint a
mural with a theme of peace.
Hollister – An after school program became a time of discovery for many R.O. Hardin School students this year, giving them the opportunity to find the artist within themselves and work together as they explored what the word peace means to them.
About 55 third through fifth graders teamed up with an art teacher from Gavilan College and his students to design and paint a mural with a theme of peace.
“It helped (students) to see and find the artist within,” said Vice Principal Christina Palmer. “I think it was very beneficial because students in the after-school program had a chance to dig within themselves and find peacefulness.”
The mural consists of three square panels, each about 12 feet by 12 feet. The left panel has a flower pattern with peace symbols. On the right there is a panel showing a road leading into a radiant sun. The middle panel is made up of 32 small squares, each painted by a student, surrounding the words “Building Peace.”
The project was part of OjO Murals 4 Service, which was started by Gavilan College studio art instructor R2row (pronounced Arturo) Rosette more than 10 years ago to provide an artistic, “socially acceptable” outlet for artistic expression. Rosette recruits students from his Gavilan art classes to help students with the murals.
“It has multiple levels, for students at R.O. Hardin it provides art class curriculum that many schools got rid of because of budget cuts,” Rosette said.
In October Rosette and one of his Gavilan students Will Moran began working with R.O. Hardin students after school to help them come up with concepts for the mural. And in January, students began painting their own concepts on small squares. Then students voted to decide which designs would make up the mural. Last month the Hollister School District Board of Trustees voted to approve the permanent installation of the mural on the southern wing of the school facing Line Street. Students finished the mural in May, and Rosette and his volunteers installed the art work on Wednesday evening.
Collaborating on the mural project and seeing it through benefited the students in many ways, Palmer said, giving them a chance to explore their artistic sides. Also, working with Gavilan instructors and students introduced the kids from R.O. Hardin to the possibility of going to college, she said.
Rosette agrees, adding that in addition to fostering an art interest in students, it also gives them skills that will be helpful in all their pursuits.
“It gives them leadership skills, confidence, team building skills,” he said. “Being able to work on a long-term project, they see slow progress, but something at the end that’s pretty magnificent.”
Luke Roney covers politics and agriculture for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at lr****@fr***********.com
