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Students, artist decorate school walls

UPLANDS STUDENTS will play a role in decorating the outside walls of the school.
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JESSICA FALARDEAU stands with the hummingbird artwork painted by artist Joe Mandur on the north wall of Uplands School.

UPLANDS STUDENTS will play a role in decorating the outside walls of the school.

Artist Joe Mandur painted a hummingbird and a six-foot salmon on the north wall, which faces Halliwell Ave., and will set up more designs for the students to fill in.

Uplands principal Todd Hollett said Mandur designed a crest at Cassie Hall and the idea came about for him to help fill some of the white space on Uplands’ outside walls with creative artwork.

“In a conversation with Joe, this is how an artist’s mind works, let’s create a hummingbird with butterflies with flowers,” said Hollett, adding the idea is to include as many, if not all, of the 360 students.

“The idea would be that he would trace the templates for the butterflies and the flowers and then under his guidance and supervision, we would work it out for the kids in small groups to paint the wall,” said Hollett, adding that the students will get the experience of working with an artist and contributing to the school.

Mandur graciously did the hummingbird and salmon piece, donating his time, and this fall, Hollett will be applying for a grant from ArtStarts to finance the rest of the project after missing the deadline this year.

“This would be it for now until we get the grant,” said Hollett about the art work being finished.

“We’re just excited about the project and to have all the children involved.”