Mural Masterpieces - Whangarei Girls High School

Location:
Whangarei Girls High School, Lupton Ave, Whangarei.

Team:
Rebecca Maunder (leader) and team members Joleen Murphy, Vanessa Williams, Becky Cresswell, Lyan Kilona, Stevie Reihana, Eva Howard, Maria Twaddell, Chelsea Olsen-Kelly, Mererini Doncliff, Amalee Lewis, Kayela Bensenman, Samantha Smith, Natasha Collings and Alison Bryant.

Accessible to public:
No.

Mural theme:
Underwater.

Background to mural creation:
he Oranga House unit at Whangarei Girls High School contains 15-20 students with special needs. These girls participate in two hours of art per week taught by Rebecca Maunder.

When they decided to take part in the Resene Mural Masterpieces competition they were determined that all the students would be involved. By using the underwater world theme, the students were able to create their own fish or creature and work at their own pace depending on their ability. As the students finished their fish they then began helping with the underwater background, creating rocks and shells, painting and gluing on sand and seaweed.

When all the elements were completed, they struck a problem - the students were a little upset that they weren't going to be taking home their beautiful fish as they needed to be attached to the mural. Luckily a solution was quickly found - each student was photographed with their fish before it became attached to the mural. Students then made frames for their photo enabling them to take home a personalised framed photo to their parents and caregivers. The students are very proud of their completed mural which takes pride of place in their classroom.