PS 226K: Safe Sanctuary

P.S./I.S. 226 commissioned this project to empower middle school students to interpret and promote their vision for a “Safe Sanctuary” where all students feel welcomed and respected. Initially, some of the students were nervous about participating. Once they realized they could have a lasting impact within the school they ended up giving more ideas than we could even incorporate in the walls.

Students imagined incorporating a waterfall, their neighborhoods, and even outer space into their safe space. One student proposed including the word respect in many different languages representing multilingual students from the school. Others wanted to celebrate the girl’s volleyball team that recently won a championship, along with their school’s panther mascot.

During the middle of production, the students started to open up even more and even the students who didn’t want to paint were more excited than the others! One thing that was resounding throughout the process was how brighter the mural made the hallway feel. From all the staff and students that walked through those hallways, it seemed as if they’d been transported to a place where one always feels invited and immersed in positive vibes.