Winthrop Middle School's Talking Wall

2007-06-21T11:56:00.000-07:00

"Journey"
We did come to the conclusion that we needed a title, Journey. The word allows the viewer to bring their own idea of a "journey" to the mural.
This process over the last year has been a journey. I think of the wall and how it look last September. The mural has transformed the cafeteria, its now a space where the movement of color and shape reflect the energy of the middle school student. The rhythm of the composition gives the space a constant feeling of being alive with student life and laughter.
I would like to thank all those who have been involved in this project over the last year. It truly has been a "journey" for the love of art. It has been a journey of faith, many kids said "I think its dumb." Then the mural was transformed by the Winthrop graduates taking the middle school students ideas and creating a mural that is as one student put it, "the coolest thing I have ever seen and I am really proud to have been a part of this." I am proud too! Thanks to all the Winthrop middle school students! You really are a part of the middle school forever!

2007-06-12T08:17:00.000-07:00

2007-06-12T08:16:00.001-07:00

2007-06-12T08:14:00.000-07:00

2007-06-12T08:13:00.001-07:00

2007-06-11T09:34:00.000-07:00

Today was the final session with Margy Burns Knight. Each grade level came down and took a closer look at the mural. Then we came up with words to describe the mural. We had a long discussion with each group about the title. Most kids felt that they did not want to title the mural. They felt as though we would be limiting the viewer in their thoughts about the mural. Some kids really wanted a title because it would identify the work and its location. The discussion was in depth and enlightening. Do we title the mural or not? The following words came up over and over again in the conversations.
Journey
Life
Road
Rambling
Us
Our
Dreams

2007-06-08T05:55:00.000-07:00

2007-06-08T05:52:00.000-07:00

2007-06-07T05:22:00.000-07:00

2007-06-07T05:21:00.000-07:00

2007-06-05T08:21:00.000-07:00

2007-06-05T07:33:00.001-07:00

2007-06-05T06:22:00.000-07:00

2007-06-04T10:58:00.000-07:00

Kyle Provencal, Nick Downing and Renee St. Hilaire have begun painting the mural.

2007-06-04T05:38:00.002-07:00

Well, the time is finally here, we are starting the final leg of this journey. The graduates and I as well as some students are going to finalize the composition today. Some decisions have been made and Kyle Provencal is starting his part.

2007-06-04T05:38:00.001-07:00

Margy Burns Knight and Anne Sibley O'Brien, author and illustrator came to Winthrop Middle School to work with each grade level. The mural is based on the Talking Walls books. We were fortunate enough to have 12 original illustrations from the book. Mrs. Criss, the principal, went into each class and asked a question based on the original illustrations from Talking Walls. Students then researched the questions. When Anne and Margy came to work with the students they helped each class complete poetry based on their research. Anne worked on the spot to show how she gets ideas and how important accurate research is to quality work. As Anne was drawing, Margy helped the students create either an ode or cinquain based on their research and ideas for illustrations. What a magical moment for these kids!

2007-05-21T05:09:00.000-07:00

Leaders
from Africa
Abolish Apartheid
Plant trees, U.N., negotiate
Peace Prize

2007-05-21T05:08:00.000-07:00

Nelson
Quarry labor
Keeping them all busy
One man, one vote, many protests
Long Walk

2007-05-21T05:06:00.001-07:00

Two walls
Country border
Ten feet and thirty feet high
Barriers, protect, separate
Two sides

2007-05-21T04:53:00.001-07:00

Murals
Stop graffiti
In Philadelphia
History, diversity
We paint
Unite

2007-04-25T07:45:00.000-07:00

Kite Days
Independence
Elegance and beauty
The elephant shapes dance for peace
Rejoice

2007-04-25T07:42:00.000-07:00

Mecca
Play, run, toss, climb
White robes, many nations
Rituals followed for two weeks
The Hajj

2007-04-25T07:39:00.000-07:00

Murals
Revolution
Peasants, soldiers fighting
Opinionated public art
Movement

2007-04-25T07:36:00.000-07:00

Colors
Painting a home
A traditional art
From Japan to Argentina
Living

2007-04-25T06:27:00.000-07:00