Eastern’s National Art Honor Society Creates Eye-catching Murals
With a piece of acetate paper and an idea, this talented group of individuals have been able to fill Eastern’s halls with positivity and creativity. So, next time you look at one of Eastern’s incredible murals, remember who it was painted by.
Eastern Regional High School is home to remarkable artwork. Whether you’re walking through the glass hallway, the music hallway, or attending a sports game, there is no doubt that you will get a glance of this artistic accomplishment. But who creates these eye-catching paintings?
The National Art Honor Society has been running at Eastern for over fifteen years. Students in advanced art placement, as well as Eastern’s stage crew, sound and light, and theatre club, are eligible for membership.
Eastern’s Art Honor Society was originally started by Ms. Pederson and then handed onto computer graphics and visual arts teacher Mr. McConnell. “The goal is to enrich the community with the arts”, he stated.
Mr. McConnell began introducing the concept of Art Honor Society murals to Dr. Tull to add some additional color to the walls and to “get all the kids involved with one big project a year.” Students inside and outside of Art Honor Society submit mural ideas to McConnell at the beginning of each school year, and by November, they have a plan of which projects they will work on. Students typically try to complete three to four projects per year.
The main murals worked on this school year have been the science mural, the Child Study office mural, the music hallway mural, the Eastern Athletics office mural, and the ocean mural in Room 91. The National Art Honor Society is also helping the Spanish Honor Society, led by Sr. Pratz, with constructing their mural in the language hallway.
The design for the science mural was created by King Meulens ‘23 and was painted by Ava Cipollono ‘24, as well as other members of the Art Honor Society. It features a periodic table and an anatomic drawing. This mural can be viewed in the 200s hallway.
Cipollono has been in the Art Honors Society since the beginning of her junior year. She plans to continue her work in her senior year.
The mural in the Child Study office is being completed by Maya Cortes ‘24 and Alexis Tariela ‘24. It features a window covered by polaroid photos surrounded by roses.
The ocean mural in the 90s hallway is designed and painted by Mackenzie Richter ‘24. This is her first year in the Art Honor Society, and the first mural she has created. She plans to continue her membership of Art Honor Society into her senior year.
The Eastern Athletics office mural was painted by Juliet Heller ‘23 and Christina Beggs ‘23. Beggs and Heller have both been in the National Art Honor Society for three years. This mural is their proudest work.
“I think it was super fun,” said Beggs. “ It wasn’t a super high commitment activity, which was really nice.”
The mural in the music hallway was completed by Madison Snively ‘23. It spotlights a saxophone, spewing rainbow rays and a large music note.
With a piece of acetate paper and an idea, this talented group of individuals have been able to fill Eastern’s halls with positivity and creativity. So, next time you look at one of Eastern’s incredible murals, remember who it was painted by.
