Elliott Elementary preserves mural and its message

Now a junior at Lincoln East High School, Rianna Mueller has fond memories of her time spent at Elliott Elementary. One memory in particular stands out - the colorful mural that adorned a wall in the cafeteria. The elaborate painting depicted the school’s diverse student population.

“Every single day I sat in the lunchroom and admired how different each and every one of the characters were,” Mueller said.

So Mueller was understandably upset last year when she learned that the mural would be covered because of construction. She told her mom, Elliott fifth-grade teacher Rhonda Mueller, that she wanted to help preserve the mural and the positive message it sends to students, staff and community members.   

Rianna recreated the mural on nine small canvases, which now hang on the wall. The school’s roughly 400 students added their thumbprints to the canvases.

“I want future generations to know how amazing Elliott is and how important their differences are to the world around them,” Rianna said. “I couldn’t have that mural gone because as simple as it was it held a very powerful message that the world today needs to hear.”  

The Elliott staff took that creativity one step further last fall. Art teacher Bob Reeker invited his colleagues to add their own personal flair to six large canvases, using the school colors of purple and yellow, along with the rest of the colors of the rainbow.

The resulting art project sends a powerful message, Reeker said.

“The installation is an example of a collaborative effort with students, staff and community - one that can remain and beautify the wall for years to come.”

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