Work on a 1,375 square foot mural at South Haven High School has begun. The mural site is located at the south entrance of the high school, a highly visible and utilized area at the school and in the community. The art installation will cover three cinder block walls serving as a screen for the recently renovated school’s HVAC systems.
South Haven High School students voted on one of two designs developed by professional artist and SHHS alumni Kayla Ridley, contracted by South Haven Project CURB to facilitate the project. Both designs incorporated themes and elements derived from student input surveys. “Students overwhelmingly selected strength, teamwork, and progress as themes for the designs,” says Robyn Henrickson, co-founder of South Haven Project CURB. “Kayla did a fantastic job turning words and themes into an art piece that reflects the student body. Once complete, it is going to make a tremendous visual impact and be something that the students and community can be proud of.” Student volunteers are now assisting Ridley with the mural execution.Those interested in participating can sign up at www.shprojectcurb.com. Work began Monday, May 16, and is expected to be complete by June 30.
The mural initiative is spearheaded by South Haven Project CURB, South Haven Center for the Arts, and South Haven Public Schools to provide students an opportunity to contribute to a large-scale legacy project.
The $13,800 art project is funded by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council, The South Haven Community Foundation, its affiliate student foundation, Youth Advisory Council, Wes and Elaine Stephens, South Haven Wal-Mart, Whiteford Wealth Management, and Jensen’s Excavating through fundraising efforts by Project CURB.
The mural will be the fifth beautification project sponsored by South Haven Project CURB. Other projects include the installation of a 300-foot berm and landscaping on the east lawn of South Haven High School, a student gathering area featuring a student-created sculpture at the south entrance of the high school, and perimeter landscaping at neighboring Lincoln Elementary. South Haven Project CURB is a 501c3 non-profit parent and community-led organization whose mission is to orchestrate, sponsor and execute annual outdoor beautification projects at each school within the SHPS district. The group was established in 2019 and has raised nearly $55,000 in funding for projects at district buildings. Visit www.shprojectcurb.org to learn more.
