An inspirational portrait of Anne Frank joins images of Terry Fox and Albert Einstein on the walls of Innisfail High School.
Thirty-six art students from Grades 10-12 worked together to create another unique mural for the school’s student gathering space.
Students had already created artworks depicting the Canadian hero and the world renowned scientist, and they collaborated on who they should commemorate next?
Innisfail High teacher Rob Burton said, “One of our students suggested Anne Frank and we were all immediately struck by the idea.
“She’s an indomitable spirit, and was also a student. As the mosaic took shape, I think a lot of students were struck by (her) importance and influence.”
Anne’s diary, published after her death in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945, recounted the many months she and her Jewish family had previously spent in hiding from the Nazis and has influenced many people.
Students at Innisfail High School had learned about her “incredibly strong legacy” in multiple subject areas over several years.
Upon re-reading The Diary of a Young Girl, Burton said he was reminded of Anne’s efforts “to cling to the beauty and goodness in herself and the world around her.
“She chose to hold onto her own happiness, which is incredibly solid advice for the times we are in.”
The art students create 196 five-inch squares of plywood on which they painted Frank’s portrait in oils from a grid.
They painted one square at a time and these were eventually pieced together, creating a six-foot square mosaic, which now hangs in the school’s student gathering area.
“I’ve seen a lot of amazing art come through this school, and this is one of my favourite teaching experiences ever. We are all so proud to be part of it,” said Mr. Burton.
lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com
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