Mural at Gompers Elementary School

Hand-painted, 10x10’ mural on aluminum panels. Prompted by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal #4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

The project was hand-painted in Isabella’s personal studio, and then installed at Gompers Middle School in Wynnefield, Philadelphia. Since it is the first thing students see when they arrive at school, Isabella intentionally created a scene that will evoke joy and make them feel seen. During the design stage, Isabella had a zoom call with the students, faculty, and parents. Ultimately, it was really productive in determining how to effectively represent everyone. She learned the uniqueness of Gompers, and that the school is super important to the neighborhood community — they even had to protest to keep the school from closing down a few years ago! Parents and grandparents of current students attended Gompers, so there’s a strong multi-generational connection.

This design concept is intended to demonstrate the fluidity of disciplines, and show how math, science, art, technology, etc. are all connected to each other. There’s also elements that are specific to Gompers, such as the tiger which is their mascot (the idea to add this came from one of the kids!). Isabella strategically used bright colors to appeal to the inner child in all of us, but toned down the hues a bit so it comes together as sophisticated. 

Isabella hopes that people will really examine the mural and all of it’s components to understand that quality education goes so far beyond the standard subjects that we learn in school. Education follows us through all aspects of our lives, and when that education is high-quality and well-rounded, it provides lifelong learning opportunities for all. It is a fundamental human right, and that should be realized when people see the diversity of humans and disciplines in the mural.