La Escuela Fratney community mural

 Mural: "Growing Together/Crecemos Unidos"

La Escuela Fratney Elementary School, 3255 N. Fratney St. Milwaukee, WI
Photo Credit: Amanda Seppanen

 

This mural was created in collaboration with over 300 students, parents, faculty and staff of Fratney Bilingual Elementary School. The participation and enthusiasm of teachers and kids alike, grades pre-K through 5th, made a lasting impact that can be seen in the expressive, vibrant imagery depicting the school community's values.

Among them include children's rights, environmental stewardship, and symbols inspired by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child. For example - a right to an education; inclusivity, and stewardship for the environment.

Fratney was one of if not the first bilingual education (English/Spanish) schools in Wisconsin. It is a diverse and multicultural community, whose parents and families came out to support the celebration of the mural completion on May 31st, 2024. It was an honor to work with such a committed and caring community, and with the school's principal, Sara Cruz, who initiated this effort. 

School-wide mural celebration May 31, 2024 "International Day of the Child"

 The process began with visioning workshops held with school parents, teachers, and staff; and grades 2-5th. We talked about some of the things they appreciate about their school. They celebrate and learn about different cultural traditions, including Kwanzaa and Día de los Muertos. Families immigrate from all over Latin America and the Caribbean that are part of this community. They shared some of their stories, heartwarming and difficult. I learned how much Fratney feel like a home where roots can be planted and grow though coming from different soil. Teachers play this role, helping their students feel welcomed and like they belong.

It was an immense experience seeing the dedication of the teachers and commitment to this effort. From the first visioning session with staff and teachers, the passion in the air about this community left an impression on me. I was inspired by their humility, yet such powerful motivating forces they are.

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These teachers have in the past brought students to protests, and issues related to social justice are part of their curriculum. Identity and sense of self is an important part of their everyday curriculum, from the littles in Kindergarten up through 5th grade.

For me getting to know the incredible individuals that make up this community was one of the highlights. The students are in great hands. I want to thank the principal, Ms. Sara Cruz who reached out to me and extended the opportunity to work with the Fratney Elementary community.

Working on blending colors together

Filling in white spaces with base colors

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Over 300 hands were in the mural from grades K3-5th, to community members and parents who helped paint base colors. Throughout the course of the project, students were part of the unfolding process of from visioning sessions to painting, popping their heads in the room eagerly to see my artists assistants and I putting on the finishing touches. From start to finish the entire school was abuzz waiting eagerly to see it all put together.

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That moment came on May 31st, when the school held a celebration as part of its open house. Hundreds of families came out that day, on International Day of the Child. It was highlighted by a sing and dance from one of the young grades, which moved me to tears with the sunlight streaming down on that bright sunny day.

One scene in the mural marks this moment. It shows children carrying a banner; or quilt, with different symbols on it representing different children's rights. These symbols were inspired by a child-friendly poster created to show the United Nation's Convention on the Rights of the Child. 4th and 5th graders chose symbols they wanted to learn about and then drew their own, which they painted on the mural.

Other ideas in the mural were inspired by listening to their thoughts, feelings and ideas about their community. Truly it is a journey; what it took to get them there; where they come from; where 'home' is; how home feels. The journey of coming to belong. The journey of growth, of growing where you are, of resilience, of being supported and nurtured. 

Education to me is about support and nurturing growth. It's welcoming people despite the differences between us. It's showing a way, or better way. Maybe we don't have all the answers, and I don't believe any one person does, but what a tremendous opportunity and challenge it is for us to come together in such a way to honor that journey, celebrate our growth, and be a part of something bigger than ourselves together.