Conservation in Context: The Evander Childs High School Murals Project

Conservation in Context
The Evander Childs High School Murals Project

Introduction: Involving students in the creation of a new mural, which would comment upon and extend the themes expressed in James Michael Newell's The Evolution of Civilization mural, was a major component to the Conservation in Context project. An artist was selected, a questionnaire was developed, and students worked through the school year creating the new mural and honing their artistic skills.

Manny Vega, Muralist: During the Summer of 1999 we interviewed artists who would be working with students on the creation of a new Evander Childs High School mural. Manny Vega, who has done many public art projects in New York City, was selected.
Questionnaire: In planning the new, student-created mural we were interested in how Evander Childs students felt about the current mural. Students in the history section developed this questionnaire, which was distributed to art and social studies classes at ECHS, who viewed and discussed Newell's murals and responded to the questionnaire. The History Section students transcribed the individual responses, which were used by Manny Vega and his students in the development of ideas for the New Student mural.
Student Artists: Art students in the Conservation in Context project discuss their work and the mural.
Study for New Mural: Before work on the mural can begin, a study must be created and approved.
Progress on Mural: Work begins on the new mural.