Osseo Middle Schoolers Honoring Past, Present and Future with Handcrafted Mural
Soon, Osseo Middle School will have a mural on display that offers a look into the past, present and future. Something is making it extra special: it’s being crafted by its own seventh-grade art students.
In Gretchen Abegglen’s art classroom, her seventh-grade students share pieces of themselves through art. That idea cloud bubbled into something more: a shared mural. The mural went from ideas to design. Now it’s being given its finishing touches.
“I didn’t want just one group of kids to be a part of this,” Abegglen said, explaining ‘why’ she took on the project. “‘How can I make all of my 7th grade groups of kids be part of this?’ So, that was my idea.”
Abegglen’s first trimester of students created a mural about Osseo’s past. An Osseo Area Schools article said the mural was used to honor the land and reflect on those who have been a part of Osseo Middle over the years. The second trimester of students are creating a mural based on Osseo Middle School today.
“It’s honoring them and their gifts and where they are from,” Abegglen said.
Next trimester, which is coming up soon, students will craft a mural depicting what Osseo Middle could be in the future. They’re assisted by local artist Kevin Kluever, who comes in twice a month to help bring the mural to life.
“Everybody is different, and everybody’s abilities are a little different. But, as far as I can tell, everybody likes to make art and paint on a big surface,” Kluever said.
Kluever helps point out where the students should paint.
Student-Inspired and Created
Kluever and Abegglen took the students’ ideas and crafted a mural around them. Some key elements include the colorful sky, a handshake and a collage of their interests, like softball, pianos and a cross. Each kid takes turns painting the mural with Kluever’s assistance.
All three efforts are made in partnership with American Indian Education Specialist Jill Lindl. As a teacher, Kluever fosters creativity. He also invites in those cultural perspectives by ensuring the mural includes elements from Minnesota native tribes.
“I think it’s important to keep that alive,” Kluever said. “Hopefully, that will happen through this art.”
For students like seventh-grader Kate Sundberg, it is a chance to create a part of the school that is all her own.
“I think it is really fun,” Sundberg said. “It’ll be really fun to see it in the hallways next year.”
The whole class had a hand in it. Classmates Zoe Nelson and Neya Crawford can see the influence of their classmates clearly.
“It represents the people, the history,” Nelson said. “I don’t know how to describe it but..”
“The diversity?” Crawford added.
“Yeah. And how people are and what they do,” Nelson said.
The mural project is funded by a District 279 Foundation grant.
The “past” panel, on the left, will hang alongside the “present” piece once its complete. Students will paint the “future” panel next trimester.
