Rochambeau Middle School students Alexia P., Courteney K., Alex D., Lauren B., Bri S., and Abby H. designed a mural as part of a seventh grade art task that asked students to consider public art as an opportunity to communicate a message.

Students looked at the work of Thomas Hart Benton, Diego Rivera, and Pablo Picasso; all of whom are artists who responded to issues of social concern and related a message  through mural painting.

The students then brainstormed topics which were of concern to the class at a school, community, national, or global level. Designs were submitted to the nurse, Mrs. Shea and the principal, Mr. Salutari to decide which mural design would grace the wall of the nurse' s office.

The student's design that was chosen dealt with their concerns about the environment. They responded to input from the nurse and adapted their design to fit her space. The completion of the mural required considerable planning and time outside of their art class.