Artists come together to create mural at school

By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon

A school cafeteria is more colorful and inspirational thanks to a team of local artists and teachers.

The group is painting a large mural on the walls of the cafeteria at Midwest City Elementary School. It includes bright colors and a quote from artist and illustrator Charles Macksey that says “Always remember you matter, you’re important and you are loved, and you bring to this world things no one else can.”

The project was sparked by the school’s diversity and inclusion committee. The group wanted to focus on reaching out to the community and find ways to increase students’ knowledge bank on art, culture, and creative expression.

“It is our desire to increase hope and show our students how much they are loved not only by their teachers, but also by members of their community,” said Jenny Penny, a counselor at Midwest City Elementary School.

Penny and Autumn Street, an art teacher, reached out to the Mid-Del Art Guild. The group offered to create a large-scale mural on all the walls in the cafeteria.

“I thought it sounded great, I asked the Guild and they all said ‘yeah,’’ said Cindy Van Kley, president of MDAG.

Madeline Dillner, past president of MDAG, is the creative genius behind the design itself.

“We came and looked at the area and met at a coffee shop after and tossed around some design ideas,” Dillner said. “After we got input from the students, I drew up the design.”

The students have been involved in the process from the beginning. They selected the quote and made some preliminary drawings that inspired the design. The students will also add their thumb prints in the paint when it’s completed.

“I can’t wait until they all come and put their fingerprints all over it,” Penny said.

Much of the work was completed last week during the school’s fall break. They plan to finish the project during winter break. The group also donated paint for the project.

The Mid-Del Art Guild meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of the month at the Midwest City Library. For more information, visit www.mid-delartguild.com.