ELEMENTARY STUDENTS MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN FIGHT AGAINST GRAFFITI - STUDENTS HOPE MURAL WILL KEEP TAGGERS AT BAY
Posted: June 10th, 2010 10:43 AM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2010-06/1046/35945/DSC_0356.JPG (Student Painting)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2010-06/1046/35945/DSC_0355.JPG (Instructor Christine Johnson)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2010-06/1046/35945/DSC_0353.JPG (Student Painting)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2010-06/1046/35945/Highland_Ele_Mural_Before.JPG (Highland Mural Before)
GRESHAM, Ore. – Students at Highland Elementary School are taking a stand against graffiti at their school. For the last several weeks they have been planning and designing a mural to cover up unsightly graffiti on a wall behind their school. The students expect to finish painting their colorful mural on Friday (weather permitting).
The project got started when city staff saw graffiti on a retaining wall behind the school in adjacent Aspen Highland Park. Staff contacted the school to see if the city could help repair the ten-year old mural that was then on the wall. The previous mural was beyond repair and this is where Christine Johnson's class of fifth grade students got involved.
"The students have done everything themselves," said Christine Johnson. "They have spent weeks working on this and we've even linked designing the mural to math class."
The city's graffiti abatement program helped the students by cleaning and getting the wall ready for their mural. The city also provided the supplies used to paint the mural.
"We hope that when people see the mural they will think twice about tagging it. Nationally murals have proven to be good graffiti deterrents," said Cathy Harrington Community Services Manager for the city. "We hope that this mural will inspire other groups to pick up brushes and help us fight graffiti in Gresham."
To view a photo gallery of the mural project visit http://www.facebook.com/CityofGresham and for more information about graffiti abatement visit GreshamOregon.gov.
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