Through a graffiti mural project at the high school, junior Reese Temme did more than create another artwork.
Temme said her favorite part of the project was “being able to go outside with all these kids who I don’t usually talk to, and start spray painting and being able to make a big banner.”
Over the last two months, a group of students has created a graffiti mural to be hung up in the school. The project was called the Leadership Legacy Lab, because the students want to leave their legacy at Baldwin High School, Assistant Principal Brandon Whitfield said.
The art teachers chose the students involved, and the students met weekly.
“We hand-selected … students who are naturally interested in graffiti-style or mural art,” art teacher Toni Rogiero said.
Students involved in the project spent time learning about the history of graffiti from two professional graffiti artists from Rivers of Steel, a non-profit organization that celebrates Pittsburgh’s cultural and industrial heritage.
“They were really funny and nice. They explained everything about the painting and the process really well,” junior Megan Murphy said.
Muralist and entrepreneur Juliandra Jones of Rivers of Steel was one of the artists working with Baldwin students.
“They really took the lead on their banner designs, came up with cool tags, and weren’t afraid to try something new,” Jones said of the Baldwin students.
The mural design features the Baldwin Highlander mascot as well as stars, clouds, and the front wall of Baldwin High School. Students used spray paint while outside to create the mural, and then used paint markers for small details.
“It was a slow process at first, and then the brainstorming for the actual design kick-started out of nowhere,” Murphy said.
For Temme, the materials were a new experience.
“I’ve never picked up anything spray can or spray paint related. It was very different from the normal sketches and paintings I do,” Temme said.
Though the end product is a mural to be hung in the school, the process of creating it was just as important, Director of Student Services Marissa Gallagher said.
The goal is “to learn some history about graffiti art, where it started and where it is now, to gain some art skills, to be creative, and to work together. All of those components are just as important,” she said.
Students had creative freedom to make the mural their own. They were not told what to do, and instead came with ideas on their own, Gallagher said.
This was the district’s first collaboration with Rivers of Steel, but there is a possibility and interest for more.
“It’s a really cool partnership, so we would love to continue,” Gallagher said.
Jones agrees that the process was enjoyable, and that it could happen again in the future.
“The energy, creativity, and thoughtfulness the students brought to this project was amazing. I’d love to do it again,” Jones said.
A similar project has also been created by middle school students, who were being instructed by the same two artists.
“It’s great to see how each group brings their own vibe and ideas to the table,” Jones said.
One of Temme’s motivations to get involved in the mural project was to leave an impact on the high school.
“I want to show what the art program is all about,” she said. “I feel like sometimes we don’t think about it as much as we do our sports. It’s a big deal, and we should focus on our art and art students because they work so hard and put so much effort in.”
