Painted Murals in Schools and Libraries

WELCOME or WELCOME BACK! 

It's time for another of my 'roundUPs.'

I search back through my photo files --

and pull together photos around a common denominator.

This time the theme is MURALS! 

These are all images I've seen during my travels 

making Author-Illustrator school + library visits. 

ENJOY!!!

The 'old Art Teacher' in me is especially fond of documenting the Art rooms on my visits. Take a look at these exciting portals-to-creativity. 

Last spring I got to make a Florida visit to Garden Elementary and meet my inspirational cyber-blogging buddy, Art teacher Joanna Davis. She is responsible for this reading-incentive mural below and orchestrating the habitat mural by her students on beyond. You can follow her adventures at We Heart Art. 

This is one of my VERY favorite, student created murals! 

Every year the art teacher creates a new mural and has the students create the work! 

OCEAN! 

OCEAN! 

OCEAN MURAL!

"It takes all kinds of fish to make a school." 

These next several 'kindergarten-themed' murals were commissioned by a dedicated kindergarten teacher for inspiration in the kindergarten classroom. AMAZING!

Matching Bulletin Board on Character Traits in Elementary School 

Mural in the School Cafeteria 

Peter Pan Supervises the Library

My day last year in Reggio Emilia, Italy afforded me the opportunity to sing for the Italian children. In the process I was able to photograph some of the most dazzling 'children's murals' I have ever seen. The children's drawings were enlarged and painted by professional artists. These amazing works spanned the two story foyer of the new building.  

Reggio Emilia, Italy Two Story Mural from Child's Drawing 

The ultimate of all the ultimate murals? This one I shared  here earlier from my end of the year visit. It is certainly worth repeating. It was created from 'UPcycled' materials: lids, and tops of all colors and sizes. The amazing part of the story is that its first life was at the Franklin Park Conservatory. The entire mural was REcycled to Sutter Park Elementary for further appreciation. 



In the manner of how all things work together for good........... just hours ago I received an email from the very brains behind the mural above. This post was already scheduled to go live this afternoon. WOW. Here's the email I JUST RECEIVED!!

"I happened to see your post about the Blooms & Butterflies mural at Sutter Park Elementary in Worthington. I am the designer of bottle cap projects as well as that specific mural. It was created in the Spring/Summer of 2007. I designed and painted the mural here in my studio and "capped" the upper 4 feet. Then we installed all 8 panels at the Conservatory and children were encouraged to continue the capping on the lower 4 feet. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm and promotion of the mural. Plus, I am happy to hear that the mural has found a new home. I had heard from the FPC that it was destined for a local school...but I did not know where.

I travel the country to visit elementary schools as an artist-in-residence as well! My very first cap project was at Worthington Hills Elementary in 2004 working with the art teacher, Ted Dennison. Since then, I am happy to say, it seems an entire world has been inspired to make art with bottle caps! I've received e-mails as far as away as Australia and China citing my books/web site as an inspiration. Readers of your blog might be interested in seeing my website at: Michelle Bottle Cap Art. "

"Blooms + Butterflies" by Michelle Stitzlein 

Have you downloaded your freebie copy of my Mp3 "Going to the Library"? 
click here

-- Debbie -- 
By all means please pin your favorites!