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McKinley Elementarys art students are now a part of something bigger than themselves. Hundreds, maybe even thousands, of times bigger than themselves. Ellen Griesdieck, the creative force behind the American Mural Project, stopped by the Fairfield school this week to visit her friend Kathy Reddys art classes. Each student she talked to has contributed a piece of what will be a 48-by-120-foot work of art. This is my favorite school [to visit] in Fairfield County, Griesdieck said. The school is drop-dead wonderful, and Kathy is an amazing art teacher.[breakhere]
Griesdieck started the American Mural Project in 1998, when she visited a Boeing aircraft plant. She realized on the way home that she wanted to create a work of art that honored American workers of all trades. So she purchased an abandoned windmill in Winsted (in the northwest corner of Connecticut) and began planning a massive monument.
Reddys classes got involved about four years ago. The McKinley teacher heard about the program and, in Griesdiecks words, begged to get involved. Since then, she has been going to McKinleys art classes each year to talk about her project and bring new pieces for the kids to work on.
This year, Griesdieck had the students work on links: snake-like pieces of plaster that will fit together and run the length of the mural. Each of the four classes painted its own design, signatures and handprints on one link, which will connect with others from groups of kids in all 50 states. McKinleys kids also brought in photos of themselves and their families, which will also have a place in the mural.
I thought, Weve got to do a project that links different, diverse communities across this country, Griesdieck said. So these four links are going to represent McKinley, and Fairfield County. In terms of diversity, youre not going to get much better than [McKinley].
When the mural is finished, it will fill the windmills walls. Three levels of walkways will allow visitors to view each part of the 48-foot-tall three-dimensional mixed media project in detail.
[The mural will be] not only a tribute to the work weve done and the people weve been, but that same ingenuity going forward, Griesdieck said. And thats the valuable part. Thats the part thats going to inspire kids.
What do you think about the American Mural Project? Have you made the trip to Winsted to see the work in progress? Start the conversation in the comments below.
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