When a chance to beautify the Albion community arises, Kamie Feder's 8th grade Art Enrichment class is often up for the task. Students sign up for the class knowing that a new creative endeavor that directly benefits the school or the community could come to them at any time.
Just a few weeks into the new school year, Village of Albion Mayor Tim McMurray consulted with the class about designing a patriotic-themed mural for Veterans Park, located at the corner of Linwood Avenue and Brown Street in Albion. Students were eager to get to work and have a hand in the Village's ongoing mission to beautify Albion.
There are 11 students enrolled in the class this year. They completed the mural over the course of three days. The 9 foot high and 36 foot long mural, which reads, "Lest We Forget," features a soldier's silhouette, a soaring bald eagle, poppies, and an American flag. Once a blank wall, the south side of the restroom facility now serves as tribute to those who lost their lives serving their country.
The students were involved in more than just painting. They took part in every step of the planning process, from the design ideation and mapping, to meeting with McMurray for feedback, and presenting the design at the Village of Albion board meeting for approval.
"I feel really proud and more connected to the community," said eighth-grader Blair Daggett (pictured above), who came up with the original design. "It was a little stressful seeing such a large blank wall that the entire community can see, but it was rewarding seeing the finished project come together. It's fun to tell people you painted the mural, hear their feedback, and see how happy it makes them to know students are helping to beautify the town."
Feder's classes have completed many projects within the middle school, but this is the third they've done within the community. Other community projects included a flower-themed mural on the utility building at Bullard Park, painting a fundraising gauge for the chapel at Mount Albion, and refreshing the canal-themed mural on the Albion fire hall and adding "Welcome to Albion." Art is not the only enrichment class offered at the middle school, there's one for Social Studies, Health, and Music, too.
"Those who are involved in their community take pride in their community,' said Village of Albion Mayor Tim McMurray. "We are getting to the point where every class who graduates from Albion will have completed some kind of service learning project. We hope that will contribute to stronger connections to their community and how invested they are in the betterment of their community now and after high school."
McMurray hopes the mural will help brighten the park and draw more attention to what Albion has to offer. The Village is in the process of enhancing multiple community spaces, including refurbishing Veterans Park, Lafayette, AFD and an area downtown.
"When students see an area of their community that needs attention, we want them to speak up, and better yet, get involved," said McMurray.
Mayor Tim McMurray is pictured meeting with teacher Kamie Feder and her Art Enrichment class to discuss the mural design.
Students involved in the project include: Blair Daggett, Julianna Grier, Viktor Healy, Isabella Negron-Ortiz, Eli Patten, Lillian Pike, Ehron Reid, Nikko Russo, Adalynn Saeva, Avah Tatu, and Aleeah Vallejo.
Mural progression:
