Stanley-Boyd High School Art Club students have been busy these past few months and it doesn’t look like their creativity will be slowing down any time soon! On March 8, twelve members of the Art Club competed in the Visual Art Classic at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. The twelve-person team worked hard to create a long-term project at school and bringing it to be judged. Additionally, they were given two hours at the competition to create a new project in their selected medium to get judged, participated in a team quiz bowl and a team critical thinking project. Ten Stanley-Boyd students took home a first and will be advancing to the State competition at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on March 25.
While preparing for the State Competition, the Art Club students took the time to bring some joy to residents of The Homeplace in Stanley by painting a 17’x8’ mural on the third-floor memory care unit. Under the direction of Stanley-Boyd Art Teacher and Art Club Advisor Kim Goettl, students spent their free time after school working on the fourteen hour long project. Goettl teamed with Zan Thompson, LPN Community Director of The Homeplace, Homeplace owner, Jill Tallmann and Kelly Rohwedder, COO of The Homeplace to incorporate their vision into the space. Thompson said that every aspect of the mural was collaborated and carefully planned, even down to the paint colors.
“The goal was to have cool, tranquil colors that studies show are calming; especially for residents with dementia.” She explained the mural process. “The project was done in increments. A few students at a time came to the facility in the afternoons and completed it piece by piece.” She remarks that it was interesting to see their process. “They started with pencil outline, then some blotchy trees and grass and before you knew it, a farm scene complete with cows and a soaring eagle unfolded.”
Thompson remarked that the residents in The Homeplace love the mural that is painted next to the elevators and enjoyed having the students visit. “When you step off the elevator, it feels like walking out onto a country farm.” She adds, “I think it brings a real sense of reminiscence to the floor of our former farmers and country folks.” Rohwedder agreed and said, “Kim and her students are so very talented, and they gave our residents something to watch grow, similar to when they were farming!” Thompson added that the residents looked forward to having visitors and seeing the students paint.
Kira Lato, a Stanley-Boyd art club student shares that she enjoyed painting the mural because it was a way to give back to the Homeplace. “I spent a lot of time there as a kid getting to know the residents and people who work there, and it feels good to give them something beautiful to see every day. At first, the size seemed gigantic but as we painted it seemed natural, and it fit in the space.” For Grace Schmidt, who is also a Stanley-Boyd art club student, she felt the opposite about the space. “At first glance the wall looked honestly kind of small and I thought it would be easy to finish in a day or two. However, I didn’t take in how long all of the minor details would take to make it look as amazing and life like as it did.” She added that the finished product was “really cool.” “I liked how we got to see a little bit of everyone’s artwork,” she said.
Lato said that it was a fun, flexible group that worked on the project, including Caleb Beltoya, Grace Schmidt, Leana Johnson, Kyrea Pelekoudas, Kimberly Nulph, and Lato. The end result left them with a feeling of great accomplishment.
“The mural lightened the place up and brought a sense of joy into the building,” she commented.
Schmidt enjoyed painting the mural and watching all of the pieces come to life. “I personally know a lady who lives in the homeplace, and I know it means a lot to her by bringing some sunshine there. It also gives everyone something new to look at.”
Kim Goettl, Stanley-Boyd Art Teacher and Art Club Advisor is proud of each student. “It was so enjoyable to watch the students jump right in and start painting. Their willingness to spend their free time to spread joy to others was inspiring. I’m really proud of the students’ work and how the finished mural turned out.” She adds, “I hope it will be appreciated for years to come.”
When asked if there are plans for another painted mural in the future, Thompson commented on the possibility for the 2nd floor of The Homeplace. “I would LOVE to have the students back to do another mural on another of our floors. We are growing here at The Homeplace and recently reopened our 2nd floor, which has been closed since 2021. So that means more walls awaiting beautiful artwork, and more residents to enjoy it!”
Tallmann expressed her thanks for all who contributed their talents to the project. “We are so happy for this cooperative effort. It a blessing to be part of a community that works together to help and support others.”
