Augusta School District Partners with Artists to Create Murals on Blank Spaces

Tuesday, May 20th, 2025 -- 10:01 AM

One of the most powerful aspects of art is its unique ability to connect people to ideas, cultures, and one another.

As an educator, Augusta’s Tasha Newton strives to help students make meaningful connections to themselves and the world around them. Inviting local artists into the classroom has been transformative, providing students with tangible examples of artistic careers and showcasing the diverse roles in the art world.

By highlighting various artists, we aim for students to see themselves in these creative professionals and envision similar successes in their futures. This past year, the Augusta school underwent significant renovations, leaving many new, blank spaces.

Since taking on her role four years ago, Mrs. Newton dreamed of filling one with a large-scale mural, a project uniting creativity, community, and student collaboration. Thanks to the WAEA Potawatomi Grant, this dream became a reality.

The District partnered with Jaden Flores, a talented mural artist who grew up in a small town, making his journey resonate with our students. He demonstrated that pursuing creative passions is possible regardless of background.

Creating the mural was both educational and inspiring. Students from Augusta Middle and High School collaborated with Jaden, learning mural design, spray painting techniques, and the importance of teamwork.

They were involved in every step, from conceptualizing the theme to executing the final brushstrokes. This engagement fostered artistic skills and a sense of pride and ownership in the finished piece.

Now displayed on the exterior of our school, the mural stands as a vibrant testament to the power of art to unite and inspire. It symbolizes what students can achieve when given the chance to work with professionals and see themselves as capable artists. For everyone passing by, it serves as a reminder of the creativity and dedication within our school community.

By bringing artists into our classrooms and onto our walls, we hope to continue fostering invaluable connections, empowering students to pursue their creative paths and believe in the possibilities that art offer

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.