A collaboration between the ViBe Creative District and Virginia Beach Public Schools commissioned murals by 17 local artists for 17 schools to engage students in art.
The theme is ‘Better Together,’ which focuses on diversity and unity. The murals are bright, fun and inspiring, often with themes of nature and inclusivity.
“Art is so vitally important to the education of children,” said Kimberly Jones, the muralist for Thalia Elementary School. “It gives kids a place to be able to share their voice and explore and make mistakes without any serious repercussions.”
“It's a place where growing slowly is okay, and some kids really need that,” she said.
As a former educator in Virginia Beach schools, Jones saw the impact of art.
“Arts are some of the best avenues to instill self-confidence in children from a young age,” she said. “There’s a lot of freedom in being able to share your ideas.”
Jones also painted a collaborative mural at Bayside High School before the end of the school year. During their lunch bell, students could paint and contribute to the project.
“It gives kids an outlet that’s positive,” Jones said. “It gives them an opportunity to show that they might be more than whatever's going on with their behavior and their life, or a way to work through some of those things.”
“They were never so proud of themselves, because they contributed to something,” she said. “It helps form connections. Kids thrive on connection and art is a way to do that.”
Jenna Hinkel painted a mural at Point O’View Elementary, and has also seen the effect of art in the lives of her students and her own life.
As an elementary school student, Hinkel was a part of Old Donation’s Gifted in Visual Arts Program. Today, she has been able to work alongside some of the same art teachers who impacted her as a young student.
“Being an artist and an educator go hand in hand. You have to have passion, patience and a love for learning,” she said. “There's always room to grow from your experiences as long as you have an open mind and understand that great things will take time sometimes.”
Her beach-inspired painting includes a quote she thought would speak to the students: We all may be different kind of fish, but at Point O’View, we swim together.
“They have each other,” she said. “They’re all unique in their own way. It’s great for them to develop a sense of self in expression whether it's through art or a love for learning.”
To see the murals and their locations, or to learn more about this collaboration between the ViBe Creative District and Virginia Beach Public Schools, visit Better Together Mural Opportunities with VBSchools - ViBe Creative District.
Virginia Beach City Public Schools are a member of the Hampton Roads Educational Telecommunications Association, which holds WHRO's broadcast license.
