Curiosity will get you where you want to go

Working with students (ages 15-18) of Lincoln High school, in San Francisco California. Our workshops with the youth allow them to be the authors of the entire process, from ideation to composition and color, and on through painting. My role as a facilitator is in providing access to the tools, along with encouragement as necessary. Implementing a traditional mural process. Working alongside Deirdre Weinberg, in partnership with Precita Eyes Muralists. 

“The north wall of our mural represents a students path towards graduation, holding her diploma proudly and standing beside the support of her family, fellow students, and community. The spectrum of technology, literature, arts, sports, and nature merges and flows across the background, representing the authentic importance of these influences. Curiosity is the instigating force, the thread that weaves these elements together into the tapestry of her great achievement.

The south wall of our mural represents the cosmos. A boy views the solar system with both existing and imagined constellations, curious to know his place within it- while in music box generating the galaxy fills a cup, to signify the universe is also within him. Our Moonwalker, descending from a constellation morphing into human form, represents the importance of setting big goals, that even ‘impossible’ goals can be realized with hard work. The NASA patch on our graduates gown is a subtle nod to this astronaut, who is seen as the student reaching her own dream.

The title ‘Curiosity will get you where you want to go’, reinforces the idea that having curiosity is a critical element in one’s education, which will see the student through life. Scribed on a book page, the quote from Alice in Wonderland ‘curiouser and curiouser’ points out that curiosity is the generating force behind success – the desire to explore and understand one’s world. By threading in whimsical elements, such as bunny ears and easter eggs, we acknowlege the inherent value of fun admist it all.