By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
Students in the gifted and talented art program at the Caribou Middle School recently completed a hallway mural project. Beth Alden, director of the gifted and talented program, on behalf of her students, commissioned the mural and the Aroostook Partners in the Arts and the gifted and talented program funded the project.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
A mural at the Caribou Middle School, recently completed by students in the gifted and talented art program, under the direction of Beth Alden, was recently unveiled.
Ms. Alden stated, “I wanted the mural to be a unique experience for these middle school art students that would leave a lasting impact within the school. Having the students design and paint a mural themselves has been a great way to utilize their talent and beautify the school at the same time. Our students can be proud of the fact that future classes will enjoy their accomplishment long after they have left Caribou Middle.”
The grade 6-8 student artists brainstormed ideas, created their own sketches and then worked as a team to create one design. The students worked together for eight weeks under the direction of Lara Cannon, a professional mural artist who is the executive director of the Wintergreen Arts Center in Presque Isle. Cannon met with the students teaching them how to enlarge their drawing on the wall; how to prime and prepare the surface; and the use of different painting and brush techniques.
The completed mural features a brightly colored tree and forest with hidden images throughout. “The intentions of the students’ artwork was to depict, through the roots of the tree, the grounding of the old — in regard to the age and history of the school building and those former students, whereas the new growth on the tree is the symbol of young learners and new ideas.”
Sharing in the mural unveiling celebration, which took place on May 23, were friends and family members invited by the CMS student gifted and talented artists. During a reception following the unveiling, the artists visited with their guests, speaking about their experiences in regards to this project.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Caribou Middle School students, involved with the gifted and talented art program, recently completed a mural on a wall in an upstairs wing at the school. Student artists in front, from left, include: Michael Hunter, Erin Patton, Jill Courchene, Kate Finnemore and Donovan Savage. In back are Justin Ouellette, Jordan Beveins, Caleb Willette, Dustin Demerchant, Robin Larrabee and Narissa Larrabee. Beth Alden is CMS teacher and director for the gifted and talented program.
