New Hudco Art Mural

Well, it's been quite a while since posting.  Last school yr. Bright Street Academy turned into Renaissance Institute, a JCPS HS credit recovery program.  Even tho I haven't posted, there's been a lot of art activity happening.  I'm starting with this year's Hudco mural.  It's about bringing awareness to organ donation.  See description below photos.

    The concept for the mural stemmed from a trip students took to The Sharing Network in New Providence, NJ.  Ms. Sheila Love, the Health & Physical Education teacher at Renaissance Institute, focused a series of lessons about organ donation, culminating with the trip.  During the trip, student, Almira Williams, came up with the  idea to incorporate organ donation awareness into the community mural.  From this point, art specialist Kristen Marino had students research symbols, imagery, and slogans related to the topic.  The art classes then worked collaboratively, piecing together the images and slogans that best represented the intended message.  Over the course of 1 week, students went on location to paint the mural which is on the wall at Hudson County Art Supply.  It will remain up for the month of May, and possibly June.
    In selecting images and colors, the students wanted the mural to have a bright, happy feel.  The two hands were specifically chosen to be African American and Hispanic, as this represents a majority of Jersey City residents.  The central heart has a golden glow around it with a heart beat shape, which “rains” life (yellow dashes) below the hands.  The butterflies and dandelions represent the cycle of life and rebirth, and the repetition of colored lines in the sky and grass create visual rhythm, reflecting life.