Leal Elementary, along with the Urbana Public Arts Program and the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the University of Illinois started a Mural Art Project with the theme: Enacting Hope and Togetherness. The mural started in February 2022 with a completion goal of March 2022. 

The goal at Leal Elementary School is to help each student develop and maintain a high level of self-esteem and a “can-do” attitude. Parents believe in the importance of working together to support student success and academic achievement, which is also one of the main goals in the project Enacting Hope and Togetherness. Participants will be encouraged to make art to spread messages of kindness and hope in our community and to reflect on ideas of equity, diversity, collaboration and cooperation which will have as end result the production of a mural at their school.

With the idea of keeping the arts active and moving forward, even as we are physically isolated, this project aims to engage our community in a time of physical distancing with the hope of sharing our experiences of living in a cultural diverse environment.

The lead artist provided a series of guided art workshops for the school students, volunteer teachers and parents in order to help engage the school community in the creation of the design of the mural and by offering technical resources.

Once complete, the Mural will be mounted in the main school hallway, just past the office entrance.

Project sponsored by:

• Urbana Public Arts Program.
• Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies UIUC
• Leal School – Urbana School District 116