When Abilene High School principal Emme Siburt needed a classroom-turned-meeting room freshened up earlier this spring, she knew precisely the person for the job.
She asked AHS art teacher April Rifenburgh if she and her art students could create a mural to give the room new life as the site for hosting Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) meetings. An ARD meeting is a group of people who help determine whether or not a student is eligible for special education and develops the Individual Education Program (IEP) for an eligible student.
“We wanted to do something that would brighten up the room,” said Rifenburgh, who used the opportunity as part of the district’s annual Big Art Day. “This is a room where sometimes the meetings can get a little bit intense and emotional. We wanted to create something that might bring some happiness.”
Rifenburgh and her students began the process in early February, discussing what would work for the mural, which now covers the old chalkboard and two square bulletin boards on each end. Rifenburgh gathered the proposals and did the initial plan for the mural before turning it over to the students. After being given some direction and getting started on the original project, the students added their flair to the mural.
“Everyone had their part to do,” said AHS sophomore Anna Ferguson, an Art 3 student. “Actually working on the mural was a lot of fun. Having the chance to do something like this with your friends and bringing life to the room was a great experience.”
What Rifenburgh and the students came up with is a landscape scene with a bright sunrise over a lush, green valley. On either end is a tribute to the AHS mascot with two eagle heads painted on a black background.
That mural was just one of several Big Art Day projects that happened throughout the district. Students at each level of the Abilene ISD took part in the project, which is an initiative by the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) to raise awareness of art education and art as a creative force in communities across the state. The TAEA’s goal with Big Art Day is to engage all educators, their students, and communities in a single-day art event.
Once again, Abilene ISD Fine Arts Coordinator Brady Sloane-Duncan directed the district’s efforts on Big Art Day.
“We are thrilled that seven campuses participated in unique and creative ways that encouraged participation by all AISD students and not just those enrolled in visual arts courses,” she said. “This is a day that gives art educators and their students a way to share what they do with their campuses and beyond.”
At Ortiz Elementary School, students participated in abstract art inspired by renowned artist Alma Thomas. At Austin Elementary School, students received a Big Art Day bookmark, which they decorated with artwork. And at Ward Elementary School, the entire school participated in their own Jackson Pollock workshop in the classroom. Pollock was an influential American painter and the leading force behind the abstract expressionist movement in the art world.
Craig Middle School art students created giant sidewalk chalk artwork in the school’s courtyard. As part of HEARTS for the ARTS project, Mann Middle School students decorated a heart that were then turned into a large mural at the school. And at Cooper High School, students had the chance to participate in a paint-by-number canvas set up in the cafeteria.
