Mural Index

Space Mural
West Branch Elementary

Starship Trooper

For ten days in October, 1999, I was fortunate enough to be the site coordinator here at West Branch Elementary School for an Artist-In-Residence sponsored by Galaxy: The Arts In Education Program of CIU 10 (partially funded by the PA Council on the Arts). A local professional illustrator and art educator, Mr. Joe Servello, directed our sixth-grade students in the creation of a mural with space as its theme.

The space theme was chosen as a way to enrich and reinforce the sixth-grade's current study of stars. Having learned about the solar system and various other aspects of the subject throughout each grade level during their time here at West Branch Elementary, the mural served as a culminating experience for them. The entire project was the work of the students, and every sixth-grade student had a hand in it in one way or another. It was a true cooperative venture from start to finish, and though Mr. Servello and I both believe that the process was more important than the product, it is fortuitous that the mural as a product is such a beautiful addition to the atmosphere of our school!

The process began with all students doing research, finding reference material, and doing drawings. These student drawings were combined by Mr. Servello into an overall composition which had three main parts: The first shows the characters from mythology that the planets of our solar system were named after, and deals with the history of the study of space. The second involves images of our solar system and other heavenly bodies. The third represents major events in space exploration. Mr. Servello also provided a diagram laying out the main under-lying color scheme for the background.

Click here for larger detail images of the composition:

*LEFT PANEL
*CENTER PANEL
*RIGHT PANEL

The students had the background color areas blocked in with a flat latex paint by the end of the first day. The composition was copied onto transparencies, projected on the wall, and traced in chalk and charcoal. Additional drawing was done directly onto the wall as things progressed. The students proceeded to outline all figures with paint. Some of the figures were then filled in, while others were left as outlines, the end result being after the style and manner of Marc Chagall, a painter known for this method. Each student added to, changed, adjusted, or fixed the work of others, collaborating as they went along.

Click here for photographs of our students in action!

*PHOTO PAGE #1
*PHOTO PAGE #2
*PHOTO PAGE #3
*PHOTO PAGE #4

I'd like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to everyone involved in this endeavor. The sixth-grade students have my appreciation for their great work, behavior, and cooperation. Holly Michael (our school librarian), Holly Petriskey (Title 1 Math Aide), and Patty Coldiron (our music teacher) were invaluable. In particular, I'd like to thank Mr. Ronald J. Guth (our principal) and Dr. Patricia A. Lowery (our school superintendent) for their help and support, and of course Mr. Joe Servello and the friendly folks at Galaxy, without whom none of this would have been possible. Special thanks to God for providing the subject matter!