For decades, Shaker students have brought color to high school halls and classrooms by painting murals that remain long after they graduate.
The Shaker Schools Foundation will soon publish a book depicting the works so people can see the murals without visiting the building. Holly Coughlin, executive director of the Shaker Schools Foundation, said that the book will be available to everyone, and will recognize student artwork. “[Principal Eric] Juli and I discussed how to celebrate and share the murals,” Coughlin said. “That, along with seeing how students look for the murals from their year, inspired the idea.”
From bold, floor-length paintings in the hallways to smaller pieces on the walls of classrooms and offices, students who once walked the halls have made their mark for years to come. Some murals display inspirational quotes in whimsical fonts, while others depict powerful historical figures, or the school mascot, Tuffy the Raider. Each mural represents a student’s legacy during their time at the high school.
According to Art Department Chairwoman Karen Mehling-Howson, students paint murals every year. There is a process for seeking permission to paint, and she approves ideas. “It’s for senior project, and students should be in Painting or Portfolio class, typically, and they have to have an art teacher sponsor. For senior project, they present their mockup design, and that would run through me, and it would also go through senior project advisers and the principal,” Mehling-Howson said. “At that time, the student would indicate where they want their mural to be, and the size of the mural.”
When the mural is to be painted in a classroom, the teacher who works in that room shares in the decision. Last year’s graduating class painted two murals, both of them in classrooms.
Mehling-Howson said that the number of murals painted varies each year. “Four or five years ago, I had seven or eight kids painting murals. Sometimes I have one or two, sometimes I have six or seven kids,” Mehling-Howson said.
According to Mehling-Howson, a “coffee-table book” of student murals is in the works. The Shaker Schools Foundation will compile images of all of the murals created over the years, according to Coughlin.
Coughlin said that every student mural that has been painted in the high school would be included in the book. She has already discussed plans with Juli, and both are ready to move forward with the project. “The photography will be done over the summer so we don’t interfere with school,” she said.
The book will be available on the Shaker Schools Foundation website when published.
Coughlin also said that former students are inspired by the murals that decorated the walls during their years at the high school. “I take graduation classes on high school tours when they are in town for their high school reunions. They always want to see the murals that they remember from their time at SHHS,” Coughlin said. “The foundation is pleased to be able to create a book with these amazing art pieces and memories of our Shaker alums.”
A version of this article appears in print on page 7 of Volume 94, Issue 2, published May 24, 2024.
