Together, the talented artist and the students created a mural at the entrance to our school.

We were very fortunate to secure the time Ms McLaughlin, who spent 10 days working with the students that resulted in the masterpiece to which they contributed and of which they are very proud.

Ms McLaughlin painted the initial landscape backdrop for the mural to allow the students to visualise a sense of place. She then ran immersive workshops with students during class time, introducing dance and music and telling stories of her previous work in Argentina in an environmental-art project in the slums of Buenos Aires. 

A large roll of communal paper was used to encourage collaboration and play, and then smaller papers were given for self-portraits or personal preference of things that were meaningful to each student or made the students happy and that could be included on the mural. 

At recess and lunchtime and during class time over a week, all students engaged in the planning and painting of the 14-metre long mural.

The school’s 211 students participated, which gave them a sense of ownership of the community mural contributing to the theme “At St Mary’s we learn, play and grow together”. 

We are very proud of the mural and think it provides a lovely bright and colourful welcome to our school as you enter the front gates. 

Our thanks go to Upper Hunter Community Arts and Ms McLaughlin for making this mural possible. 

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