BETHLEHEM, Pa. — As Freedom High School student Liam O’Donnell sketched the shapes of a new detail on the center wall of the mural, he was met with support and suggestions for color from school photography teacher Jamie Toohey.
Liam walked out of the room and squatted at a pile of paint buckets, brushes and more, mixing red and yellow to later use in filling the shapes on the mural: a few tiny butterflies.
- Liberty and Freedom high school students are painting murals at Moravian Village, a local retirement community
- The mural was designed by village resident Jerry Engle
- The Bethlehem Area School District and village residents have a "longstanding" relationship surrounding arts, music and education
Liam's work was part of an effort by students of Bethlehem's Freedom and Liberty high schools to help turn into reality the idea of a resident from Moravian Village — a 55-plus continuing care retirement community — who drew his vision to liven the lobbies of Point 26 Suites’ garage elevators.
The students are volunteers, working together to create a “beautiful garden-view landscape of a bright blue sky, billowing clouds, springy grass and bushes, cheery flowers, tall trees and more,” according to a Moravian Village news release.
Thoughts from the artists
Although photography and ceramics are artforms that often catch his attention, Liam, the Freedom student, said a chance to paint while receiving community service hours was something he couldn’t pass up.
“Ms. Toohey said in the middle of class that there was an opportunity for community service hours, so I was interested because I need my hours,” Liam said.
“She said it was painting, and so that kind of sounded fun. So I signed up for it.”
Jadalize Lamboy, a Liberty senior who said she plans to major in art education in college, stated the work was a new and valuable experience for her.
"I thought it would be a really good opportunity to do a mural because I have have never done one before."Jadalize Lamboy, senior at Liberty High School
"I thought it would be a really good opportunity to do a mural because I have never done one before," Jadalize said.
The same goes for Freedom sophomore Jaelyn Merced.
“I like doing community service,” Jaelyn said. “I want to try and get a ton of hours.
“And also, I never did something like this before. So I thought it would be fun — and I am having fun."
The brain behind the project
Moravian Village resident Jerry Engle, who made the original sketch, said he was inspired by the view from a nearby window of his home.
“To me, [the sketch] is me sitting in my living room looking out at the trees and flowers blossoming, bringing a brighter outlook on life."Jerry Engle, Moravian Village resident
“To me, [the sketch] is me sitting in my living room looking out at the trees and flowers blossoming, bringing a brighter outlook on life,” Engle said.
Engle, who is chairman of the resident housekeeping committee at Moravian Village, put his vision to paper and presented it to the other members.
After some discussion, the group agreed to collaborate with Bethlehem Area School District, with which it has a longstanding relationship.
Some residents enjoy attending arts and music performances put on by area schools, and even go to assist some students with literacy skills, according to the news release.
“We have a great connection between the both of us,” Engle said. “I think that’s healthy for the city of Bethlehem.”
Because of that partnership, art students from Freedom and Liberty agreed to volunteer their time in completing the mural.
It’s a "win-win endeavor," as the students also are credited time toward their 60 hours of community service required for graduation.
A way to connect, have fun
Toohey, the Freedom photography teacher, said the thing she loves about the project is “how it is young people giving back to older people."
“I always love to have exposure of my students out in the public. It is a perfect way for them to work with the residents and have fun at the same time.”Liberty High School art teacher Heidi Landis
Liberty art teacher Heidi Landis said, “I always love to have exposure of my students out in the public. It is a perfect way for them to work with the residents and have fun at the same time.”
Tracy Patton, Moravian Village executive director, said the project could be the start of something special for the two groups.
“I love it when a resident brings up a great idea and we get to make it happen,” Patton said. “It’s a great experience for students and a great introduction into senior living.
“Hopefully it’s the beginning of our next project.”
The students began the mural April 18, and will continue every Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon for a couple of hours each day.
They plan to finish murals in the north and south garage elevator lobbies by the end of the school year.
