‘Light amongst the darkness’: Colorful mountain landscape arrives at Silver Rail Elementary
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A local artist is helping bring a little beauty and comfort to Silver Rail Elementary through the power of art.
Today, students and staff returned to the school for the first time in four weeks, following the deadly October 15th shooting. Inside, the impacted room has been emptied of its fixtures, materials, and finishes.
A new wall now separates the impacted classroom from the rest of the school — a physical boundary meant to help staff and students take their first steps forward.
Sheila Dunn, a Bend artist, says a friend who teaches special education reached out last week to brainstorm a way to add art to the school, where last month’s shooting happened.
“My friend Jen reached out, she’s a special ed teacher. And just with the idea of maybe putting a piece of art where the incident happened, and, it just felt like such an honor. And I think as a community, you know, everyone’s been so desperate to help where they can. And so I was just so grateful I was able to do this small thing,” Dunn said. “I’ve gotten a lot of really sweet messages from staff and parents, and I think it is having an impact. So, you know, it happened very quickly. But, just to give parents and staff, you know, a little bit of a soft landing and coming back.”
Dunn offered the school its choice of any of her paintings. With help from local company Dealin’ In Signs, the mural was installed within 24 hours.
The colorful mountain landscape now brightens a school hallway.
“This happening is every community’s worst nightmare, right? No one wants this. It’s been horrible. But the response from the community has been so beautiful. I’m just so proud to be a part of this community,” Dunn said. “One of the comments I got was from a stranger from across the country. She wrote, ‘Kudos to this whole community. You are showing the country what community is. We grieve for you all while also holding you in our hearts. We as a nation bow to your strength and the way you have supported each other and continue to to do. So, thank you.’ It was poignant to me because I think, just the way we’ve showed up for each other in the aftermath has been kind of this light amongst the darkness.”
Dunn says she’s been deeply touched by messages from staff and parents, and hopes the art can serve as a reminder of the power of creativity and community during a difficult time.
Click here to learn more about Sheila Dunn Art.
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