When first asked to do a mural during this pandemic, we were overwhelmed by trying to find a way to do it safely and abiding by the socially distancing rules, while also allowing for the students to work and come together as a community. This problem became the essence of what this project is all about: how can we come together during the pandemic when we have to be apart?
As our communities are forced to change because of Covid, we wanted to know what community meant to the students, and the ways they thought they could keep their communities together. In many ways, the answer to that question would be answered in doing the mural itself. The whole school had to find a way to accomplish something together in separate groups. Although it was difficult navigating this new terrain, everyone was able to adapt and work together in respect to completing an amazing task.
Spanning 14’ wide and 6’ tall, the mural consists of each student sharing their version of community in a 6” by 6” tile. Colour-coded to become a rainbow, our Community Mural is a mosaic of housing, education, activities and nature through the perspective of Queen Alexandra’s students and faculty. Two silhouetted profiles face each other at the center of the mural, representing the collaborative effort it takes to build a community. This mural became the proving ground and a symbol that this community can adapt and find ways to stay connected as a whole, even when separated.
