By Lori Williams
A colorful mural now greets students between the classroom doors of teachers Stephanie Brown and Kelly O’Neill in the fourth-grade hall at Alturas Elementary in Hailey, but because COVID-19 regulations have restricted the hall’s access, you’ll just have to take the word of staff and the lucky fourth-graders there that it has passed the “Cool! Amazing! and Wow!” test.
“The teachers have been really supportive and amazed at the mural. Staff in the building have made a special trip down the fourth-grade hall to check it out,” Brown said. “The students think it is very cool, and so does Principal Brad, who granted permission for the project.”
Upon arrival this new and unpredictable school year, students were greeted by the vibrant surprise on the wall in the alcove of the two adjoining classroom doors. The cobalt-blue-toned graphic panorama dramatically depicts a snapshot of Idaho state history, which is traditionally studied in fourth-grade Social Studies curriculum.
Brown’s son, Zack, a graphic digital designer, designed and painted the piece.
“It’s my first mural, and took about a full week’s time to complete,” said Brown.
The younger Brown is a team member at CRU, an interdenominational Christian organization providing global aid, worldwide ministries, and media evangelism, and headquartered in Orlando, Florida. Currently working remotely from his parents’ home in Idaho, Brown would finish his online Florida workday at 3 p.m. Idaho time, and then spend several hours into the evening working on the mural, plus a few weekends.
“It was finished before the school year started,” said Stephanie Brown, who gave her son complete freedom with the wall’s design, with the condition, of course, it be a reflection of Idaho’s history.
“I researched historical Idaho photos, and happened upon one of a woman from the Shoshone-Bannock tribe. I thought it was striking,” Zack Brown said. “The man represents a pioneer.”
He chose the vivid and brilliant color scheme thinking to incorporate the ambiance of alpenglow, highlighted in the pink and gold reflection on the mountains. From those colors, the rest of the palette expanded. Brown used regular house paint for the mural, except for the banner, which is whiteboard paint, allowing for the use of dry erase markers and the option to change out the message, which currently reads, “Education Prepares You for Life!”
It’s easy to imagine the Valley’s mountains, plains, rivers and forests within the depth of the mural. There’s a teepee, a wagon, an eagle—all reflective of local and state history and wildlife.
Fourth-grade Social Studies aims to expand a student’s knowledge and appreciation of their own local history, as well as American history. Fourth-graders also learn geography and how it affects a community. The mural speaks to their year of study. Brown even added a whimsical touch with a last-minute sketch of a long-eared rabbit on one of the alcove’s short side walls. The other side has a tiny canoe disappearing down a river—Lewis and Clark no doubt aboard.
In addition to working for CRU, Brown also does freelance graphic and digital design. His work has been featured in Sun Valley Magazine and Territory, a quarterly magazine featuring the best of Boise life. He also illustrated the children’s book seen at retailers around town, Brownie and Bo at the Big Wood Diner.
Next up for Zack, he says he likely will be working remotely from Idaho for an extended period due to the pandemic. And that’s good news for fifth-grade teachers, who have commissioned him for a mural in their hallway.