Mural at Gompers Elementary School
Hand-painted, 10x10’ mural on aluminum panels. Prompted by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal #4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
The project was hand-painted in Isabella’s personal studio, and then installed at Gompers Middle School in Wynnefield, Philadelphia. Since it is the first thing students see when they arrive at school, Isabella intentionally created a scene that will evoke joy and make them feel seen. During the design stage, Isabella had a zoom call with the students, faculty, and parents. Ultimately, it was really productive in determining how to effectively represent everyone. She learned the uniqueness of Gompers, and that the school is super important to the neighborhood community — they even had to protest to keep the school from closing down a few years ago! Parents and grandparents of current students attended Gompers, so there’s a strong multi-generational connection.
This design concept is intended to demonstrate the fluidity of disciplines, and show how math, science, art, technology, etc. are all connected to each other. There’s also elements that are specific to Gompers, such as the tiger which is their mascot (the idea to add this came from one of the kids!). Isabella strategically used bright colors to appeal to the inner child in all of us, but toned down the hues a bit so it comes together as sophisticated.
Isabella hopes that people will really examine the mural and all of it’s components to understand that quality education goes so far beyond the standard subjects that we learn in school. Education follows us through all aspects of our lives, and when that education is high-quality and well-rounded, it provides lifelong learning opportunities for all. It is a fundamental human right, and that should be realized when people see the diversity of humans and disciplines in the mural.
Q + A (2021)
How did you receive the commission/assignment from GPA for the Quality Education artwork?
Since moving to Philly six years ago, it has been a goal of mine to contribute a public art piece to this great city of murals. Post-graduation in 2019, I was in search of fun freelance opportunities rather than full-time employment. I found the open call for this mural online, submitted an application, and to my excitement, received a follow up call offering me the opportunity!
Please describe your thought processes when you began work on the piece.
When I first read the prompt, I knew I wanted to create something exciting and joyful, as this would be the first thing the students saw upon walking into their school. I wanted to set a positive tone for their days and rally enthusiasm for education while ensuring that each student feels seen and represented.
How if at all did your thinking evolve as the artwork evolved?
My first draft depicted a versatile sense of education and learning opportunities that could have been an effective mural on any school across the globe. During the revision stage, I had a zoom call with the kids, faculty, and parents which was really productive in determining how to effectively represent Gompers. The focus of the mural shifted from illustrating general educational motifs, to more specifically all that is unique and special about Gompers and their community.
What does the final piece look like (medium, colors, size, overall look, etc) and how does that reflect Quality Education?
The final mural is composed of two aluminum panels that sit side by side to create a 10’x10’ canvas. It is hand painted with bright colors to appeal to the inner child in all of us, but toned down the hues a bit so it comes together as sophisticated. This design concept is intended to demonstrate the fluidity of disciplines, and show how math, science, art, technology, etc. are all connected to each other. There’s also elements that are specific to Gompers, such as the tiger which is their mascot (the idea to add this came from one of the students feedback!).
What is the name of the piece and why is it so named?
This piece is unnamed so that viewers have the opportunity to interpret their own meaning. There is a large variety of different elements in this mural. I want people to acknowledge what stands out to them specifically, and what parts of the mural they feel connected to.
What were your feelings upon receiving the assignment or commission?
Being offered the opportunity to create this mural confirms that I can really do anything I set out to do. I have been wanting to break into the mural scene for years, and I have finally achieved that goal through patience, persistence and hard work. I’ve been denied several mural opportunities before finally snagging this one, so I hope my experience can inspire others to never give up on their dreams. When you truly believe in yourself, everything else will fall into place.
As an artist, what are your feelings around the power of public art to convene or rally people or call attention to a cause?
The power of public art is infinite, as their are no boundaries or limitations on who can see it and how they relate to it. This accessible nature of public art allows for a much larger and more diverse audience than anything that is in a museum or private collection. Public art also has the power to inspire how people interact with their community, as it can shift people’s subconscious by just being in close proximity with the work.
Related: How do you think your piece will call attention to or get people thinking about Quality Education?
My hope is for people to really examine the mural and all of it’s components. I want them to understand that quality education goes so far beyond the standard subjects that we learn in school. Education follows us through all aspects of our lives, and when that education is high-quality and well- rounded, it provides lifelong learning opportunities for all. It is a fundamental human right, and I want that to be realized when people see the diversity of humans and disciplines in the mural.
Any final thoughts on the overall SDG project and your work?
I learned a lot about large scale painting while working on this project, and would love to apply all of the knowledge I accumulated to another mural in the future. Ideally, this project will serve as a catalyst for my career in mural making. I create work in a plethora of different mediums, including digital illustration, ceramics, screen printing, paper making and mixed media. I continue to introduce myself to new mediums and methods of making as a result of consistently challenging myself to bring her ideas to life as tangible pieces of art.
