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Planting our Future

Planting our Future 2024

Acrylic on Brick Approximately 250 sqft

At the end of sixth grade, before we moved to the high school, the students of Memorial Academy would paint a brick in one of the stairwells. Being able to go back to a place that holds so many memories and leave a much more significant mark behind, while inspiring the creativity and curiosity of kids much like myself at the same time, is a wonderful full-circle moment for me. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve as evidence to artistically inclined children that there is a future out there for artists, even ones from small towns. Growing up it is difficult to imagine a career for yourself beyond perhaps an art teacher or the ever stereotypical “starving artist” (something I remember saying to a teacher when I was asked what I wanted to be). Botwood is a vibrant artistic community that nurtured my creativity. Growing up surrounded by murals and encouraged by supportive teachers and family, I found my passion for painting and photography. I cherish every opportunity to give back to a place that gave me so much.

The only guideline I was given for this project was that the mural is intended to be used as a teaching tool that visually demonstrates the growth cycle of plants and the importance of sustainability. From there I met with the leadership team and asked what plants they wanted to see and gave them some options I was considering for the composition and had them vote for which ones they liked best. They all really wanted to see the school’s greenhouse and crops that grow locally in Newfoundland.

As for my personal vision, I knew I wanted the children to see themselves as part of the cycle so I made sure to include a few children of various ages planting and watering. This played out right in front of my eyes at one point with a girl excitedly pointing to the red haired girl I was painting and exclaimed that “She looks like me!”.

The collaboration was one of my favourite parts. I worked with around 30 students, some from Memorial Academy’s leadership team as well as a few high school students from Botwood Collegiate with a particular interest in art. They shared ideas and elements they wanted to see in the planning stage and then divided into smaller groups to help me paint. One group helped prime the wall, others toned it all green, another group had an exceptionally fun time painting random letters and shapes and handprints over the wall that I could reference when sizing up my sketch to the actual wall.

After that it became more detailed, I created a paint by numbers system for the leadership team to help block in colours. The high school students helped a lot with the finer details, painting trees, rocks, and the many plants and vegetables. My absolute favourite part was getting the leadership team to paint their own bumble bee (the school mascot) somewhere in the mural, each one is totally unique and a reflection of the students personality. It was fun watching them get hands-on and take pride in their contributions knowing that I was fostering creativity and a passion for the arts in the next generation of children growing up where I once did.

Another wonderful part was reconnecting with some of my old teachers who are still shaping young lives to this day. It’s probably been over 15 years but Mrs. Oake still recognised and hugged me as soon as she saw me, and I had the opportunity to present and answer some of her class’s questions about the mural even though I was once one of her students myself.

A couple of students gave me drawings of their own <3

I’ve received some really kind comments and feedback from teachers, parents and the community in general but overwhelmingly I’ve received feedback from the students. Everyday they would find any excuse to walk past the mural and let me just say that if you ever need a confidence boost you should paint in front of primary school children. Following art school critiques, exhibition rejections, and general anxiety, it was heartwarming and honestly healing to see the students' awe and excitement at my work. Constantly hearing things like: “That looks amazing, Miss!” and “Did you really paint that?!” when all I had done so far was paint the wall a splotchy green XD.

As someone who grew up walking those same halls, I know how meaningful it is to have a mural in the school — not just as a colourful addition to the space, but as a lasting legacy. It becomes part of the environment that shapes future students, and I hope this mural can be a spark of inspiration, creativity, and curiosity for years to come. Getting to come back to my old school and contribute to a space that shaped me as a child was really emotional in the best way. It reminded me of how important it is to have art brighten up everyday spaces, especially for kids — it can change the way you feel about where you are, and even about yourself.

This project was part of the Our Creative Home initiative supported by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and delivered by Municipalities NL and Business & Arts NL

Paint, supplies, and t-shirts were generously donated by Benjamin Moore Paintshop and the Botwood Mural Arts Society

I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to be involved in fostering sustainability and a passion for nature and art. The greenhouse and planting program didn’t exist when I was a student but it was something I would have loved and I’m so happy it’s become such a big part of the curriculum. Although there is a part of me that credits myself with it’s creation, as the day before I met with the leadership team for the first time, I received a copy of my school records and beside my report cards was a short letter I wrote in Memorial Academy to a previous principal proposing my ideas for new class subjects and the first paragraph read the following:

“ Dear, Mr. Roach,

Did you know that some plants will tangle themselves around anything it can? Well I surely didn’t, but I would’ve if there was a nature study class in our school. All we need is a garden or greenhouse, some seeds and a plant dictionary too. I like plants and nature because it is all just so beautiful and mysterious and if you choose this subject me and a lot of people would like it. It’s a chance to learn all about the dangers and wonders of plants.”

(I did make minor corrections to my child self’s spelling and grammer for readability lol)

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