Wednesday, Dec. 02, 2009

Young NCSU artists beautify school walls

The purple, polka-dotted frog tangled in an inspirational quote jumps out at students as soon as they walk in the front doors.

Noticeable, too, are a pair of shoes with eyeballs, a half-moon with a smile and a treasure chest releasing Walt Disney's encouragement to read books.

The bright colors, distinct characters and expressive quotes line the walls of Leesville Road Elementary School's entrance.

The mural is a project of N.C. State University students, who hope to finish it in the next two weeks.

"It has been challenging, and it has taken a lot of time, but it's been great," said Stephanie Conner, an N.C. State junior who leads the group of about 20 students painting the mural. "Passing something like this on to the community is rewarding."

Conner, who studies psychology, resides in N.C. State's Arts Village residence hall for artistic students. Students who live in the hall attend events and work on projects every year. The mural is one of those projects.

It will cover about 278 feet on the walls outside the school office.

Terri Exel, a board member of Leesville Road Elementary PTA, initiated the mural. She collaborated with N.C. State's Art Department, Conner, Principal Cecelia Chapman and fellow PTA board member Rhonda Curtright to develop décor that encouraged reading.

Conner said she first met with Leesville administrators and parents in September.

The only requirement for the mural was that it included quotes provided by PTA members.

Conner and her peers have worked most weekends and some weekdays on the project, often for nine hours at a time on Saturdays.

Chapman says she's impressed with their work.

"They have done a really good job," Chapman said.

"I think when you enter a school building you want it to be warm and welcoming. It does exactly that. It's a wonderful welcoming in the morning to get started for a new day."