Ward School Unveils 'Love of Learning' Mural

Dolphins, children, books, music and more are now splashed in vivid color across the walls at Ward Elementary School in Newton Centre.

According to an announcement, the new mural is the brain child of Ward parent and PTO Chair Sheryl Kalis, who reached out to artist David Fitcher about making the dream a reality.

Fitcher first visited Ward in November and introduced students to the concept of public art, which he has much local experience with having created the mural "Sunday Afternoon on the Charles River” on the back of the Memorial Drive Trader Joe’s as well as other local pieces.

Fitcher settled on "Love of Learning" as the theme and decided to depict the topics students enjoy learning about in each grade and incorporating the image of the school mascot, a dolphin, the announcement from Newton Public Schools explains.

Throughout the next several months, students sketched their ideas in art class and Fitcher worked those ideas into cutouts of the dolphins, which he ultimately outlined with glass mosaic tile. Fourth and fifth grade students also learned how to cut glass for the mosaic portions of the mural.

On Newton Serves Day, parents, students, Ward staff, and members of the community gathered to paint an underwater backdrop on the wall and complete the panels of artwork.

The panels were installed and the mural was unveiled during a ceremony and celebration on June 12 that was attended by Sen. Cynthia Creem, members of the Newton School Committee, past and current Ward families and others.

“This was a wonderful collaboration of our art teacher, Amy Broder, and the muralist and included opportunities for parents to contribute to the final product,” said Audrey Peller, principal of Ward School. “Also, it is removable, so we hope it will be part of the ‘new Ward.’”

For more images, check out the announcement from Newton Public Schools.