Murals

Public murals have a special way of bringing people together. 

They are accessible to a large audience and often express emotions, raise awareness and encourage others to be positive and believe in the wonder of ART. 

The Importance of  ART:

ART teaches.

ART is heals.

ART brings communities together.

ART opens our minds to new ideas. 

ART helps us to see the world in different ways.

ART inspires.

.

ART is important.

I began painting murals over 25 years ago. I started by doing small jobs that consisted of painting borders and smaller areas on the interior walls of residential and commercial buildings. Years later, I expanded my mural experience by painting children's rooms to coincide  with the theme of the room I was painting in. Up until that point, I had only painted murals for private homes and small businesses.

After a long break, I started painting murals again in 2021. This time, I was commissioned by the principal of the elementary school where I work.  That was when  I realized the importance of public murals and the positive impact they have on others.

It has been a true blessing to be able to bring our principal's  visions to life on our school walls at Laura Donovan Elementary School in Freehold, New Jersey. Our principal, Jennifer Benbrook has a heart of gold. She deeply cares for the students and staff and she puts her heart and soul into everything she does. Even though I was honored when she asked me if I'd be interested in painting  murals for our school, I had no idea the impact it would have on our school community and my personal wellbeing.

It wasn't until I saw the reactions from the staff, students, and families as I was painting the murals that I realized how much influence my murals are having on others. People  walk by and compliment me as I  paint or stop me in the halls to tell me I am doing a great job. It doesn't matter if it is an adult, the youngest kindergartener or the oldest fifth grader, people  go out of their way to be kind and give compliments. They take the time to see the beauty in the art and it inspires them to share their feelings about it. They also get to witness the progression of each mural and share in the joy of the finished product when they see the final outcome of all the dedication and hard work it took to get there. From the early planning stages of the original ideas to the final brushstrokes, painting murals for my school has become an ongoing community project for our school that offers teachable moments for all. 

Knowing that others are positively impacted by my murals makes me realize how important my work is to our school community. We are using art to share an experience together and we are inadvertently teaching each other how to openly share our feelings by showing kindness and gratitude. It brings me joy as a teacher to know that my artwork is not only bringing visual enjoyment to our school, it is also teaching the children in ways that can only be taught from leading by example.

I am also personally learning so much from my mural work and I am benefiting  greatly from being able to share my heart and talents with my school community. My heart is full every time I complete a mural and it is because of our principal, Jennifer Benbrook and her vision to bring joy and positive energy to our school. It has been amazing to be able to put her ideas on the walls of Laura Donovan Elementary School and it's an honor to know that my murals will be there to spread joy for many years to come. Special thanks to Jennifer Benbrook for inspiring me and helping me find my purpose. This experience has been a blessing to me and I'm hoping that her mission to spread positivity with art and murals in our schools will be a tradition that other schools will follow.