Steele Elementary: Whale Wall

This mural was completed in 2004 by Lori DiPasquale and Gloria Biordi. The theme of this mural is drawn from the John Murir (the naturalist, explorer and writer) quote: “We all travel the Milkey Way together, trees and men; but it never occurred to me until this storm-day, while swinging in the wind, that trees are travelers in the ordinary sense.” The characters in this mural are not from specific stories but rather are the artists’ attempt to capture the magic of how we are all connected in this world of ours. Moving from the sun and land, the dancing under the sun, to the life in the sea. The stars were painted by Dana Keys. 5th grade students helped paint the names of donors, who provided financial support, in some of the stars. The mural incorporates a previous mural that included three whales painted by a 6th grade class when they were studying an ocean unit. See additional photos below for details of the mural. (Source: conversation with one of the artists, Lori DiPasquale)