A group of rising Livingston freshmen didn't just finish middle school — they left their mark on it, literally. Students from art teachers Gina Bianco's and Barbara Levy's Project Art classes designed and painted a large-scale mural that now greets everyone walking through Heritage Middle School's front doors.
The whole project traces back to a single original design from one of the students. Professional mural artist Caren Frost Olmsted scaled that design onto Polytab, a specialized fabric made for large wall installations, and over several weeks of class time, students painted the panels themselves before Olmsted's team mounted the finished piece on the hallway wall.
Olmsted runs the Basking Ridge-based Olmsted Mural Group and has completed more than 250 murals in schools and communities across New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. since 2003. She squeezes in seven to 10 school and community mural residencies every year, turning student sketches into finished public art like this one.
When Heritage students walk back through those doors this fall, they'll be greeted by something they helped build with their own hands — a send-off gift for the grade behind them.
More art happening around Livingston this month:
- July 22, 1 p.m. — Designer Robbie Amodeo presents "250 Years of America," a free talk on historical fashion at the Livingston Senior/Community Center. Pre-registration required via CommunityPass or in person.
- July 22, 7-9 p.m. — Public reception for artist Tim Maher's solo exhibition, also at the Senior/Community Center. Maher, president of the Art Centre of New Jersey at Riker Hill Art Park, focuses on minimalist oil painting and portraiture. Free and open to all.
