Like a good neighbour, students and faculty in the Design and Visual Arts program at Cambrian College have transformed the foyer of Lasalle Secondary School next door with a colourful mural that was unveiled today.
Rainbow District School Board Chair David Farrow joins Lasalle Secondary School students representing Grades 7 to 12 in front of their new mural, from left, Zoey Rivet, Dat Tran, Alice Westby, Olatunji Lawal, Lennon Ouellette and Maya Benoit.
Monarch butterflies, with their vibrant shades of orange and black, proved to be the ideal visual element. As the butterflies break through glass and become larger, they tell a powerful story of growth, resilience and potential. The butterflies are not static or linear; they are in full flight, continuous change captured in the movement and the momentum.
"The monarch butterfly is a perfect symbol for our school and our students," says Lasalle Secondary School Principal Kristina Rivard Gobbo. "The butterfly's metamorphosis is a powerful representation of transformation. As students progress on their journey towards graduation, they spread their wings, soar to higher heights, and evolve into their fullest self."
She adds: "Orange and black are Lasalle's colours and that alone speaks of school spirit."
The smaller butterflies on the left of the mural represent Grade 7 and 8 students. At this stage, they are still finding their voice in their new secondary school environment.
With perseverance over time, students move beyond their comfort zones and gain more competence and confidence. The glass radiating outwards represents breakthroughs in personal growth.
The butterflies become more prominent and more defined as they grow in scale and number. The larger butterflies on the right represent Grade 12 students ready to migrate to their next destination - college, university, apprenticeship, work or independent living.
"This mural is a wonderful legacy to the school and the community, reflecting the power of partnerships and public art," said David Farrow, Chair of the Rainbow District School Board. "This mural adds to the overall aesthetic of the school, invites us to remain curious and use our imaginations to see things in new ways, creates a warmer and even more welcoming space, promotes school and community pride, and serves as a source of inspiration for students each and every day."
The mural at Lasalle Secondary School was created by a team of six students and one faculty member from Cambrian's Design and Visual Arts program, including, from left, Violet Landrie, Eli Blaauw, Isabell Hacock, professor Johanna Westby, Harlequinn Carpentier and Sam Carriere.
The mural was created by a team of six students and one faculty member from Cambrian's Design and Visual Arts program - students Eli Blaauw, Harlequinn Carpentier, Sam Carriere, Katie Hardwick, Isabell Hacock and Violet Landrie and professor Johanna Westby.
The mural is composed of 10 panels, covering a total of 26 square metres. It took 152 hours to complete.
"I found it so exciting to work on something of this scale for the first time, and to see my idea come to life with the help of my teachers and peers," says student Eli Blaauw. "I'm so lucky to have our work displayed where so many people will see it every day. I hope to encourage students to think creatively, or at the very least brighten their day."
"This mural represents the transition of youth through their journey into the world," says professor Johanna Westby, faculty in the Design and Visual Arts program at Cambrian College. "The monarch butterflies, as they travel across the canvas through space and time, develop tremendous scale and visual importance. They are a symbolic interpretation of how youth grow into their place in society."
She adds: "We are so pleased to collaborate with partners in the community annually to create these murals. These murals provide a fantastic opportunity for Cambrian's students and faculty to create a large-scale project in which they can take pride, and which can be enjoyed by the community for years to come."
This year's mural is the latest to be installed at a school within the Rainbow District School Board. Other murals can be found at Northeastern Elementary School, Lockerby Composite School, and Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School.
