Students from Eastern High School in Louisville, Kentucky Honor Loss of Former Classmates Through Mural Project
Background
The Eastern High School mural project idea originated winter of 2005 when a group of Eastern High School students from Louisville, Kentucky visited the Ali Center and were recently mourning the loss of three classmates from an auto accident during the 2005-2006 school year. A concept for creating three murals inside the Ali Center to honor the three boys’ lives was proposed and embraced by both Ali Center officials and Eastern High School administration.
The names of the three boys who are honored through the mural project are: James Granada-Malave (age 17), Justin Cooper (age 16), Kayde Clohessy (age 18)
The Mural Project
A total of 20 art students from Eastern High School spent part of their summer break on scaffolding in the Muhammad Ali Center bringing to life their own artwork inside the center. The students designed the concepts for all three murals which incorporate the mission and values of the Ali Center and symbolically tie-in the lives of the three boys.
Each mural took approximately one week to complete for a total of three weeks. The murals are located in three different areas in the Ali Center: the Education Wing (Level 1) and the Monumental Staircases between Level 1 and 2 and Level 2 and 3. There are 15 different paint colors used in the Education Wing mural and over 20 colors used in the Monumental Staircase murals.
Education Wing Mural - The Education Wing mural is composed of freehand painting (based on the students’ graphic design), vinyl lettering, and vinyl photography. The concept is based on the six core values of the Ali Center: confidence, conviction, respect, dedication, giving and spirituality.
Monumental Staircase Mural (Level 2 and 3) - This mural is all freehand painting. The images are based on high contrast photos of students, faculty and staff at Eastern High School. The butterfly symbolizes the transformation and beauty of one’s life and represents the spirit of the three boys who were killed in the car accident. The diverse and colorful grid of faces represents community and coming together - to support and uplift one another. The faces gaze up at the butterfly with appreciation, joy, hope, and gratitude.
Monumental Staircase Mural (Level 1 and 2) – This mural is all freehand painting. The painting features a boy blowing bubbles, one of which represents the world. The bubbles all contain various images of people. The text “Find Greatness Within” references finding the greatness in everyone around the world (representative people within the bubbles), finding greatness within the center, and finding greatness within yourself.
This project serves as a wonderful example of the core values Muhammad hopes every adult and child embraces – dedication to accomplishing a goal, respect for those around you who help along the way, and a giving spirit.