At Durango High School, creativity, teamwork, and community spirit came together in a big way with the completion of a vibrant new mural on the exterior wall of the High School next to their impressive IMPACT Career Innovation Center. What started as an ambitious idea led by our student-driven Interact Club turned into an inspiring reality—all within the span of just one school day!
A Call to Action
The journey began when The Walls Project was approached by a representative, Kate Kelly, from the Rotary Club of Durango. They helped paint our Manna Soup Kitchen mural and had heard about our ongoing efforts to engage students in meaningful projects and offered their support. With Kate’s position as assisting the Interact Club and The Rotary Club’s encouragement and financial backing, the idea of creating a mural that would both beautify Durango High School’s campus and symbolize the students’ collaborative spirit took root.
Planning the Mural
From the outset, this project was all about the students. Dozens of Durango High School students, guided by the Interact Club, stepped up to the challenge. Together, they decided on a theme that would resonate with the entire student body, and the search for the right artist began. The Walls Project, selected senior Maisy Harlan, a talented artist who is set to attend Fort Lewis College this fall, to lead the design efforts.
The Big Day: Bringing the Mural to Life
With Maisy’s design in hand, and under the mentorship of local muralist and DHS alum Parker Ledford, the students got to work. In just one day, over 35 students came together, brushes in hand, to transform a blank wall into a stunning piece of art that reflects the vibrancy and creativity of our school community.
The energy on campus that day was electric. Students picked up their paintbrushes and painted side by side for hours until the mural was finished. The teamwork and collaboration were truly inspiring to witness.
The Finished Mural: A Symbol of Possibility
By the end of the day, what had been a plain, unassuming wall was now a colorful and captivating mural, full of life and meaning. The design, brought to life by Maisy and her peers, serves as a testament to what can be achieved when students are given the opportunity to lead, collaborate, and create.
A Grateful Community
We are incredibly grateful to the Rotary Club of Durango for their support and to all the students, staff, and community members who made this project possible. A special thank you goes to Maisy Harlan for her leadership and artistic vision, and to Parker Ledford for guiding our students through this transformative experience.
This mural is more than just a piece of art; it’s a symbol of what’s possible when we come together as a community. It stands as a reminder of the creativity, dedication, and potential that exists within every student at Durango High School.
We invite everyone to visit the mura to see the mural in person and to celebrate the incredible achievements of our students.
Thank you to everyone who was part of this journey. Together, we’ve created something truly special that will inspire future generations of students for years to come.
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