Artists have been devoting their time and using their skills to make the building as warm, welcoming, and connected as possible through their painting of murals.

Murals are displayed throughout the school with the help of art teachers Michelle Sheppard and George Hancin, local artist Jen Swan, and the dedicated work of art students, including seniors Kendall Sweeney, Stephanie Francalancia, and sophomore Atira Cheney.

One of the biggest murals is the tree outside the library, painted by Sweeney and Francalancia, which sheds light on the gardening programs. The artists said they both wanted to show the beautiful garden and make students, faculty and guests feel relaxed and welcomed into the Algonquin family.

“We found that most students were unaware of the garden and our solution was to give the garden a home inside our walls,” Sweeney said. “I hope the murals can give kids a sanctuary away from the pressure of academic struggles.”

“We wanted to help the serenity garden get recognition through art,” Francalancia said. “We thought this mural would be a great way to bring attention to such a great part of the Algonquin community.”

Francalancia feels that Algonquin has a place for every student and hopes that everyone feels a sense of familial unity when they walk into school everyday.

Most kids seem to agree with Sweeney and Francalancia about how the murals make them feel.

“The murals and art in the school really make me feel welcomed and happy,” freshman Morghan Dion said. “I like to see all the art and know I’m in a nice environment.”

However, there are a few students who don’t feel the same about the art.

“In art workshop, we asked what people thought about art, and some people said art isn’t a smart class, and what me and the students are wondering is why people said this and how we can try to change it,” Sheppard said.  

The National Art Honor Society and other students are trying to change this perception in a vast new mural, which will be located in the cafeteria.

Many are ecstatic about this project which will be created with Jen Swan’s help, and hope it greets every person into the Algonquin family.

Swan works as an artist, teacher, and consultant. She goes to different places to collaborate with people using art in different ways, and works with people to put all their ideas together.

“She is totally open to all ideas and anything students want to do,” Cheney said. “She’s sketching out what we want to do and letting us have all creative control. She is accomplishing mashing our ideas and making them flow so we can exploit a positive message to Algonquin.”

“She’s helping 25 to 30 kids that all have different ideas.” Sheppard said. “She’s helping to find a starting point and putting all ideas into a well developed sketch. Swan helps to buffer and mash together the kids ideas fluently.”

“I want people to think Algonquin is a place that supports the arts and to make the school a more lively interesting place to walk through,” Hancin said. “It shows both aspects and makes the building a more happy, pleasant place.”

“Art can make people feel good about themselves and make the public feel something they couldn’t express in words,” said Cheney, a member of the National Art Honors Society, said.

Cheney’s mural is the geometric mandala in the H100 hallway.

Sheppard, Hancin, and the art students’ goal throughout the year is to show people who artists really are as individuals who have much to offer and know how to show their originality through beautiful pieces made from their own ideas.