In recent weeks, a colorful new project has begun to take shape in DePaul Prep’s new South Wing in the form of a student-designed mural.

Designed in collaboration with the Greenstar Movement, a locally based art foundation, the mural is representative of symbols and themes that are important to the DePaul Prep community. 

Themes like DePaul Prep’s core values are represented in the mural, as well as recognizable symbols like the Chicago skyline. Other motifs include flowers and other Illinois-native plants.

“It’s all about creating something that people are able to work together on to make their school more beautiful” says Greenstar Movement artist Sofia Brunwin.

Students have been involved in every level of the process, from design to assembly. During the design process, students were prompted with general concepts and ideas, and then asked to create design ideas based on what they wanted to see in the final product. Art Honor Society member, Senior Lilly McCarthy, says that she can “definitely see a lot of the things she suggested” represented in the final artwork. 

The construction of the mural itself has been almost entirely student led. Contributing students helped score and break ceramic tiles into certain shapes, along with gluing them onto the wall with the help of artists from the Greenstar Movement.

While National Art Honor Society members are required to put three mural assembly sessions, or 6 total hours, into the building of the mural, all students are welcome to participate. “It’s a big project, and we need help from everyone,” says senior Katarina Peters.

Over 40 students participated in the construction of the mural itself, and 50 students attended the original planning meeting, held in November. Junior Cecilia Sekowski says that building the mural “helps build a sense of community, through making friends.”

The brand new mural adds a pop of color to the south wing hallways, which brightens DePaul Prep’s newest addition through student involvement.