“Whenever you feel crushed, under pressure, pressed, or in darkness, you’re in a powerful place of transformation/transmutation…trust the process”
— Lalah Delia
Phoenix of Transmutation
In the Spring of 2022, we facilitated a workshop with a group of Stowe Middle School students in which they designed a superhero-like figure with powers to transmute fears, hate, and other negative aspects into healing, growth, and kindness,
The Phoenix wings are comprised of 181 individual pieces of student artwork with additional work represented by the bees below the wings, giving a grand total of 193 pieces of student work.
The mural is 18’ x 25’ and was painted with premium aerosol and acrylic paints, and sealed with UV protection.
This project was part of the Lamoille Art & Justice Project and funded by several partners including The Current Center for Contemporary Art, The Alchemist Foundation, Vermont Arts Council, Vermont Community Foundation, Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development’s Better Places program, and community support.
2022 • Stowe Middle School • Stowe, VT
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Stowe Reporter, By Tommy Gardner | Published May 26, 2022
Phoenix rising: Artists and kids unite to create mural for diversity in Stowe. Stowe Middle School students are working all this week with a collective of professional artists to paint a huge mural on the outside of the school meant to celebrate people who don’t often see themselves reflected in a state that is 94 percent white.
One key takeaway for the students: paint isn’t much different than the shade of one’s skin.
“Some of the things the artists were saying is all the colors they use for someone’s skin is all the same color, but different hues,” said sixth grader Kennedy Jennings. “It’s a little bit of a deeper take on what is happening.”
Stowe Reporter | Published June 2, 2022
Murals by Stowe students highlight racial justice. Stowe residents will soon be able to enjoy murals highlighting local racial justice efforts painted directly on Stowe’s recreation path and the exterior of Stowe Middle School.
The murals, which will be designed and painted by Vermont-based artist collective Juniper Creative Arts, are inspired by the public activism efforts led by the Lamoille Art & Justice Project over the past year.
“Public art created with intention and that celebrates historically marginalized people has the potential of enriching the lives of everyone who comes in contact and engages with it,” said Jennifer Herrera Condry of Juniper Creative Arts, “It can also improve the sociocultural dynamics of a community.”