“A lifestyle is what you pay for; a life is what it pays you.” – Thomas Leonard.
At Seven Summits Centre For Learning, the Artist In the Classroom (AIC) project has finally been completed. The AIC grant sponsored the long-awaited mural project, which adorns the south facing wall of downtown Rossland's historic red roof building.
Historically murals became popular from street art or the graffiti art movement; both styles are reflected in the designs created by 7S students. The students worked collaboratively to create a narrative storyboard under the guidance of an accomplished international mural artist Heather Harwood-Stamper. “The student cohort spent over a year, spanning two school years, making this project come to life. I asked each of them to create a part of the mural that was meaningful to them and their lifestyle, hopes, dreams and image,” said Stamper.
Alianne Trickett is a Grade ten student who helped formulate the thematic development for the visual storyboard. “I suggested that we each draw on a puzzle piece to symbolically represent how we are all different and unique, but we unite to fit together harmoniously in the school image, culture, and environment. I also suggested the hands in the middle, drawn by a previous student, Talia Symington, to represent the school staff and teachers. As they are providing for and guiding the puzzle pieces as the students move through the seasons,” said Trickett.
This public art piece represents a current, abstract, metaphorical, mystical, and genuine story for the students of Seven Summits. The culture of innovation, adventure, and inclusivity is a testament to the Seven Summits learning environment. Nestled up in a mountain town with a variety of sports, students drew many pictures of their adventurous playground in both summer and winter. They were bearing witness to the daily life of a 7S student and the cooperative cohort.
Harwood-Stamper, who had a wealth of knowledge to pass on to the young artists, was primarily involved in the organization of the overall project and motivating the project to achieve completion. Due to the size and collaborative nature, murals are started using smaller idea boards and are scaled up to the final display size. Senior student Cooper Legler photographed the final project which was painted on four separate framed canvases. Upon being photographed, the project was sent to alumni entrepreneur Hailey Revolone who as a graphic artist digitalized the project. Next, the project was sent for shareholder approval, and then off to SpeedPro for the banners to be produced. Once printed the students, under the direction of Josh Swain a local carpenter, created the frame and worked to get the mural hung securely in its final resting place.
The aim of this pictorial panorama is to welcome the community to look up, stop in, and learn more about the inclusive, creative, and unique environment that is Seven Summits Centre For Learning. Our high school students wish to thank the sponsors of this project the Artist In the Classroom Grant; Heather Harwood-Stamper for her unwavering support, acceptance, energy, and guidance; Cooper Legler for his talent to photograph the project; Hailey Revolone for her graphic and technical skills; SpeedPro for their fast, courteous, cost-effective business; and finally Josh Swain for framing and hanging the final project.
“Life is like a jigsaw puzzle; Not a "Box of chocolate" You have to put the pieces together to get the 'real' picture.” — Andrea L'Artiste
Contact information: For further media information please contact Seven Summits Centre for Learning Administrator, Tanis Shippy at info@sevensummitslearning.com
Author: Tara Hauck, Marketing Coordinator Seven Summits Centre for Learning.
About us: Seven Summits Centre for Learning is an exceptional public high school experience that offers a blended learning model for grades 8 through 12 in Rossland, B.C. Please help us honour and promote our amazing students, past and present, by placing our articles in your newspaper.
