FSK Unity Mural
The Francis Scott Key Elementary/ Middle School Unity Mural is part of FSK’s master plan to improve the outdoors and provide more joyful spaces for students to play and grow.
The mural was designed to inspire play, movement, & build school pride.
FSK student mural design workshop
About the FSK Unity Mural
How was the Unity Mural designed?
During spring of 2023, thanks to a generous grant by the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC), Nicole engaged FSK students and staff to identify a mural theme design.
Outreach included:
A Google survey for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders that received 114 responses; the survey asked students to share their favorite things about their school, the activities they want to engage in outside, how they want to describe the new mural, mural ideas, and how they would like to further be part of the mural process (design and/or paint).
In partnership with Ms. Marnee Keith (art teacher, FSK), preK and first grade students read Maybe Something Beautiful (by Isabel Campoy), a book that shares the story of a little girl that paints colorful murals in her gray neighborhood. They then took part in an art activity to paint their own murals on the proposed brick wall.
Small group discussions with 6th, 7th, and 8th graders over the top two themes that emerged from the survey: (1) Unity and diversity, and (2) FSK school pride. These students then created their own mural designs.
Using the students’ wonderful ideas and artwork, Nicole identified “Unity” as a key theme for the school, with a special emphasis on imagery that showed students holding hands and bright colors. Many students and staff highlighted how special the school is in bringing many different students together, and FSK’s kind and warm school environment.
The Unity mural design was inspired by students' wonderful ideas and artwork. Drawings by Tassy Kishna (top) and Kimberly Contreras (bottom), FSK 6th graders.
FSK preK and 1st grade student artwork
What do you love about FSK?
Students were asked in the spring of 2023 what they loved about their school. Here are a few things that make this school so special…
“I love the student body, I love the teachers, and I love the buzz.”
“Their school spirit, their plans for our enjoyment and education, and the fact their school lunch is actually pretty good.”
“The support of diversity in classrooms, the programs, and the classes.”
“I love that FSK is caring, have good staff, [and] have good educated teachers.”
“I love the community that FSK created, I love all of the classes in FSK, and I love the staff at FSK.”
“There are good teachers, there are a lot of different people, and people are always trying to improve it.”
“[I love the] staff, the extracurricular activities, [and] the kindness.”
How was the mural painted?
The mural was painted on mural cloth (also known as polytab or parachute cloth), a non-woven fabric similar to canvas. The mural design was printed on 5’x '5’ panels, allowing the students to paint the majority of the mural (with some helpful touch-ups from adults!). Think of it as a large-scale paint by numbers.
The mural cloth technique has been used by the Mural Arts Philadelphia program for almost 30 years, with many murals lasting 25+ years.
FSK middle school students paint on mural cloth
Mural Cloth Process
1
Unity Mural design is printed on mural cloth panels
2
Students & community paint panels
3
Panel touch-ups
4
Panels installed using an adhesive on rear brick wall
5
Mural is sealed & varnished
Thank you!
This mural would not be possible without the incredible support from FSK’s PTO and staff. Special shout out to art teachers Marnee Keith and Katie Jones for opening up their classrooms. Thank you all for believing in this project!
Thank you to the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) and Arts Everyday for their generous support in turning this mural from an idea to a reality.
Special thanks to Netanel Portier and the Mural Arts Institute team for their guidance on the mural cloth process, and artist Jay Wolf Schlossberg-Cohen for his fantastic insights to a new muralist.
