Students at Phoenix Middle School have recently completed a commemorative mural to mark the last Grade 9 year at the school.
Next Sept the Grade 9s become part of Carihi and Phoenix becomes a Grade 6, 7, and 8 middle school.
The project was devised by Art teacher Shannen Harle and local artist Peter Davies (Pete the Pen). This project represents the collaboration between the Phoenix PAC and the Campbell River Arts Council as part of their Youth in the Community Program.
In March, eight grade 9 students were selected to design and create the imagery for the mural working under the guidance of Pete the Pen.
“I have been impressed with their creativity and commitment” he said. “The result is spectacular.”
“We surveyed all the Grade 9 students for their lasting impressions of Phoenix and based the imagery for the mural design on the results collected from the survey,” said Harle, “then left it to Pete and his team to be creative. The mural looks amazing.”
The result is a mural that is a massive 12 feet tall by eight feet wide. It is made of four separate panels that come together to form the finished presentation. It was recently fixed in position above the entrance to the gymnasium.
“This project demonstrates the raw talent that abounds in our local schools and how initiatives such as the Arts Council’s Youth in the Community Program is helping to nurture and develop that talent – Brilliant!” said Pete the Pen.