Murals At Park 

Beka Ruehle

Part One: A Mural is a Legacy 

One of the most commonly remarked upon traits of the Park High School building is the art that covers our walls. There are at least 30 murals at Park, each of them painted by a student artist. This tradition began in the early 80’s, former Park art teacher Marcia Sykes mentioned in an informal interview, also stating that painting murals was originally an Art Club activity begun by her predecessors Glen Gerber and Marty Petit. Ms. Sykes continued this practice by having her AP art classes paint murals at the end of the school year, and today, mural painting is often initiated by a student artist, and Art Club members and other students are enlisted to help.

 When painting a mural, students become a part of something much bigger than themselves. Mr. Maletis, an art teacher at Park, mentions that having and creating murals inspires school pride in many Park students. 

It’s possible that this school spirit comes from an environmental feeling of empowerment. Mr. Quirke, an AP Art and Sculpture teacher at Park, explained that when a student sees a mural being painted, they “see that kids have power, and that you have power,” a feeling that teens can so often lack. Mr. Quirke elaborated on this feeling of student empowerment, stating “I think the best thing is that they have control over their environment.” 

According to research published in the Architecture Image Studies scientific journal, “In educational institutions, murals can encourage collaboration, enhance student engagement, and promote institutional identity.” These ideas were all mentioned by teachers at Park, but staff also emphasized that murals provide students with an artistic outlet. Mr. Palacios, a current teacher and former student at Park, states that the murals at Park can be seen as a “celebration of student talent,” as all students can request this opportunity to leave their mark on the school.

 Each mural at Park High captures a moment in time, one that is often personal to those who attended the school during its painting. As Mr. Quirk stated, “a mural is a legacy.” Each piece holds a story, an intention, and although the stories behind many of our murals have faded throughout the years, much of the art itself still stands. 

Stay tuned for the next update to learn more about the Murals at Park!