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Students in Saline Community Education’s mural-making class were finally able to see their hard work and creativity on display in downtown Saline. After a late start to the class and a complete shutdown towards the end, the students persevered and were committed to finishing the project, which was installed Jan. 29.
Fifth-grade students Evelyn Kuslikis, Isla Patterson, Paloma Saldaña and Sophia Shark created the mural in the art class, which met twice a week for four weeks.
The mural is based on the style of Brazilian-born artist/muralist Romero Britto. Students were introduced to the artist’s work, especially Britto’s use of color and pattern, as a jumping-off point for their designs. From there, the students went in their own creative direction and started painting on day one.
Evelyn Kuslikis enjoyed using paints during each class.
“My favorite part was that it was fun to be creative with paints,” said Kuslikis.
Each student painted their design on a 2x4 ft panel. The panels were combined to create the complete mural. The class encouraged students to express themselves individually while within the context of a larger piece.
Paloma Saldaña appreciated the process.
“My favorite part of creating my piece was the thought and creativity I had to put into making it, and the fact that people can see the personality put into it,” said Saldaña.
Students decided on happiness as an overall theme for the mural. After painting a background of shapes, patterns and colors, they sketched symbols that represented happiness to them, such as music, frogs, balloons and butterflies.
Students traced their symbols on their panel by using a projector.
The young artists are hoping their message comes across to viewers.
“I want people who see it to feel calm and happy while looking at it,” Kuslikis said.
Sophia Shark agreed.
“The theme is happy, so I hope it makes people happy,” Shark said.
Saldaña expressed the same.
“Since my piece had a lot of colors, shapes, and angles to it, I think I would want the viewers to respond to it as joyful, creative, and happy,” Saldaña said.
The mural is temporary and the young artists are already thinking about the next piece. Nature or animals seems to be the direction.
“I think we should do a nature mural with birds to go on the side of the library by the nature preserve,” Kuslikis said.
Saldaña included an additional component, realism.
“For the next mural in Saline, it would be nice if it were more realistic but still popping and colorful to the eye,” Saldaña said.
The temporary mural, which was approved by the Saline Arts and Culture Committee and the City of Saline, is on display in the parking lot off North Ann Arbor street in downtown Saline.
To sign up for classes, visit Saline Community Education at https://salineonline.reg.eleyo.com.
Patchy rain nearby, with a high of 67 and low of 53 degrees. Overcast during the morning, sunny during the afternoon, overcast during the evening,
Best burger goes to Droptop pizza. No doubt about it . Dan’s is not what it used to be and the food is not award worthy. Need some new judges.
It's a voting thing, not a judging thing.
Dan's burger has never treated me wrong. And I like the DropTop burger too.I would never put down someone else's burger, though. I might say someone else has a better one.
Like, I like the Jet's Pizza. But to me, that's a DropTop prize.
These awards are voted by the PEOPLE...not a committee of judges. The people of Saline and Saline area voted for these businesses. I have never had a bad meal at Dan's Downtown Tavern and if something wasn't right I know that it would be corrected. Plus I have had Drop Tops pizza and I found it to be quite good.
No Data center
While I have some empathy for the family I would bet the proverbial farm that their ancestors would not like it to be rezoned. Disappearing farm land is a national problem not just local.
Agreed. It’s their land and can do as they wish but it’s just a bummer
You all have absolutely lost your collective minds! Fiscal insanity.
Love the idea and could absolutely see this treasure becoming a multi-use facility for the city. Not sure how I would approach it were I the owner but I believe the current owners inherited the house (could be wrong) after being in the family for many years.
Curious as to current status of the second smaller home built in the same style. Is that currently owned by the same family and part of this discussion?