Cambrian College artists create mural at Northeastern Elementary

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Cambrian College is giving new meaning to paint by numbers in its latest mural in the entrance at Northeastern Elementary School in Garson. 

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Spanning 11 panels and 228 square feet, eight students and two faculty from the Design and Visual Arts and Art and Design Fundamentals programs took 213 hours to paint the mural.

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The mural reflects the students as they progress through the years, the Rainbow District School Board said in a release. Silhouettes of 10 children, who were photographed for the project, represent all grade levels, from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8.

Northeastern Elementary students photographed for silhouettes were Sophia Gibbons JK; Easton Monaghan SK; Marcus Bailey-Wright Grade 1.

Scarlette Brouillette Grade 2; Clare Genoe Grade 3; Ben McGarry Grade 4; Lauren Westbty Grade 5; Khali Burnside Grade 6, Jack Charron Grade 7, and Willow Baillargeon Grade 8.

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Within the silhouettes are words to define the values at Northeastern – acceptance, co-operation, diversity, equity, friendship, inclusion, kindness, leadership, respect and unity – values that unite and connect the students, staff and school community.

The mural also features dragonflies, symbols of growth and courage. The colours in the mural, vibrant shades of yellow, blue, orange and red, are friendly and welcoming, instilling a sense of energy and excitement from the moment students, staff and visitors enter the school.

Cambrian College artists were faculty members Johanna Westby and Lümen Jefferson of the Design and Visual Arts program, and students Maia Veteri-Gunter, Rory Perras, Suah Jung, Arlo Joseph, Maddie Hallett, Sydney Latva-Arol Emily Audette and Bronwynn Kuilboer.

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The mural complements the revitalization project underway at Northeastern Elementary School. The hues in the mural will be carried into the cafeteria, which will soon be remodelled.

“Northeastern Elementary School hosts many activities in school, within our board and within the broader community,” principal Jodie Pakkala said in a release. “These upgrades, made possible with community involvement, bring positive energy to our school, creating a warm and welcoming environment for all to enjoy.

“We extend our deepest thanks to the Cambrian College Visual Arts Department, Johanna Westby and the entire team for being part of our school’s transformation.”

It has become an annual tradition for Cambrian’s School of Creative Industries to create a mural for the Greater Sudbury community. Murals have been installed at Tom Davies Square (City Hall), Health Sciences North, Science North, YMCA, Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, Lockerby Composite School and the college itself.

“We are so pleased to collaborate with partners in the community to create these murals,” Westby said. “This year’s project at Northeastern Elementary School enabled us to reimagine the space with lively and colourful art that the Northeastern community could readily connect with.

“These murals provide a fantastic opportunity for Cambrian’s students and faculty to create a large-scale project in which they can take pride, and which can be enjoyed by the community for years to come.”

sud.editorial@sunmedia.ca

X: @SudburyStar

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