NORTH BRUNSWICK – Students at Livingston Park Elementary School embraced cultural diversity by creating a mural that depicts their favorite family traditions.
Through a grant from Young Audiences New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania, the school was able to secure time with Kit Sailer, an artist-in-residence, during the spring. On Oct. 23, the final product was revealed, as students and parents watched as five panels created by last year’s second grade class were unveiled.
The project asked students to write about a special holiday or event in their lives, including who they gather with, what food they eat and any special attire worn. In class, the students compared notes and then chose an element to create visually. Sailer spent about 10 days working with the rotating art classes.
Some of the depicted scenes include grocery shopping, Easter baskets, shrimp with rice and noodles, a baby shower and a sign for Diwali.
“Every single child’s hands are in here,” Jennifer Peppe, the art teacher for Livingston Park, said of “The Colorful Diversity of Livingston Park School” mural. “It made me feel proud we have this here, that so much love and happiness went into. … It highlights are commonalities but also our differences and celebrates them.”
The North Brunswick Township Education Association provided refreshments for the unveiling. Peppe also thanked the superintendent, Board of Education and administrators for their support of the arts in the schools.