Art of Empowerment Mural Contest: The paint on the wall

WWF

Over the past several weeks, Earth Foundation’s Todd Polich and Shayla Chorney have been visiting with the students at Holy Cross Regional High School, winner of WWF and Earth Foundation’s Art of Empowerment mural contest.

© Sophie Young
© Sophie Young

The students involved have been posting inspiration pictures and ideas to a private Facebook group, with Todd guiding them and helping them to bring all their ideas together. Grade 11 students Erik Pinto and Sterling Hillman share students’ reaction to the final mural idea and sketch, which is now coming to life on their school wall:
Todd visited the Art 12 class this week with exciting news! They would start painting today! Todd had met previously with students and had received the students’ sketches and ideas they wanted for the mural. Todd developed all of the ideas from the students and incorporated them into his final sketch. Originally the mural was going to be one quarter of the wall but has now grown and will be the entire wall! As Todd pulled out his sketch the students’ eyes lit up with excitement!
© Todd Polich
© Todd Polich

The mural is going to be based on the four ecosystems, and different parts of the world including, the west coast of BC, the Arctic, and the Tropics. It will cover the different layers of the earth, from the sky to the ground and everything in between. The whole idea is to focus on how we are all connected to nature. Todd wanted there to be a story behind the painting and the students’ sketches are starting to tell a story. Most of the animals are animals that have been adopted in the Holy Cross Environment Club. Todd really got the students engaged when he talked about spirituality and art. Todd told the class that he always prays while he paints and that he wanted to incorporate spirituality and creation into this magnificent mural. The main focus is to engage our community and its diversity into the mural. Through the students’ and Todd’s vision the mural will be a centrepiece for the school and everyone cannot wait to see it!
The finished mural will feature sharks, salmon, otters and dolphins. © Sophie Young
The finished mural will feature sharks, salmon, otters and dolphins. © Sophie Young

WWF’s Schools for a Living Planet connects educators and students of all ages to WWF’s conservation work. Join the S4LP community and learn how you can inspire your classrooms and classmates to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.