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Opening minds to a world of ideas

A mural of one of history's great minds will be used as a teaching tool.

By RITA FARLOW
Published November 15, 2006

Each year, parents help fulfill supply wish lists, donate books or give money as part of the adopt-a-class program in Pinellas County schools.

But at Lakeview Fundamental School, students soon will have a new piece of art courtesy of parents Adrian and Yvonne Marrullier and local artist Jake Cline. The Marrulliers commissioned a large wall mural for Anne Stang's fourth-grade class, where their son Ayden is a student.

"All our monies typically go to curriculum development, not to environmental development. It's thinking outside the box on how we support our school," said Yvonne Marrullier.

The mural, a depiction of Albert Einstein, will grace the hallway outside of Stang's class. The area is a makeshift reading nook Stang created to make up for a lack of classroom space.

Besides adding aesthetics to the stark white walls of the 79-year-old school, the mural will be used as a teaching tool. "There are so many things that we've already come up with about what we'll be able to do with this. It ties into literature. It ties into math and science," said principal Charlene Einsel.

The kids are fascinated by watching an artist at work, Stang said. "They're being able to see the process of the art and that there's thought behind it. They're seeing how the artist plans and how he decides, and his feelings behind it."

"They're gaining an appreciation for art and for historical people, and an appreciation for the gift," Stang said.

Abby DeGregorio, 9, was excited to see how the mural was progressing.

Einstein's "mind is like a dictionary," she said, referring to the stairs that lead from an exit door to the back of Einstein's head in the mural. "You can walk up into his head and find out what you need to know because he's really smart."

Cline, who runs the shipping and receiving department at the Salvador Dali Museum, said Einstein is a good role model for kids.

"Not only was he this genius, but he was a humble, kind man," he said.

Cline worked a large window and exit sign into his design. The lesson to students? Obstacles can offer opportunities. "I just hope it promotes a more complex thinking. ... I really want them to have a different way of looking at things," Cline said.

Yvonne Marrullier said she hopes the mural inspires the students for years to come.

"Art is peace of mind and tranquillity and intellect. When you're surrounded by art, you grow," she said.

[Last modified November 15, 2006, 07:14:40]