You Have The Power

Aerosol and Latex Paints, 64’ x 11’, 2023.

Quinsigamond Elementary School, 14 Blackstone River Rd, Worcester, MA.

I painted this mural in an effort to bring color to their outdoor playground space and give the students a sense of autonomy as the design was largely decided upon during conversation sessions I had with them.

The overall theme is “You have the power to change the world”. The left begins with references to Worcester, the city that surrounds the students every day, and more simple stylistic choices and evolves into realistic elements towards the right. Certain sports, animals, murals around Worcester and natural elements were included based on student responses and drawings.

Some of my favorite elements are the train (which I added because I heard a super loud one every day of painting), the beta fish (which is the school’s unofficial mascot as one lives in the main office) and the skyline which includes references to buildings in the city.

I had so much fun in every aspect of this project. If I had to do something for the rest of my life, it would be traveling the world and doing this.

This mural was supported in part by a grant from the Worcester Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.