ROBERT GRAY MIDDLE SCHOOL

A collaborative and restorative mural project for my alma mater. An ice storm resulted in devastating flooding of RGMS’s lower hallway [roughly 50% of the school’s footprint] leaving it uninhabitable and displacing students and faculty for the remainder of the 2023-24 school year.

After their Fall 2024 homecoming, Climate Specialist CJ Mead, Principal Lisa Newlyn, a select group of students and I began discussing how to invite life back into the space. With student input and assistance from the PTA, we were able to secure funding for supplies and I began creating the artwork. Themes of resilience, kindness, fortitude, academia, active living and the preservation of nature exist throughout.

Special thanks to my former New Seasons Market colleagues Jaime, Jen, Irene and Chris for donating their time to assist in the painting of this mural.

Client: Portland Public Schools

Photography: Artist