Over the course of a few days in April, students and staff at Read Elementary School worked together to paint a vibrant new mural on the school building’s exterior walls. The painting of the mural signified the second phase of Read's playground renovation. The mural project was supported by ArtsCore - a partnership between the Paine Art Center and Gardens, UW Oshkosh and the Oshkosh Area School District. The playground project has been supported by more than 20 businesses and organizations, as well as many individuals. 

Appleton artist and UW Oshkosh graduate, Neo Medina, was invited to lead the Read mural project and create the design. Through collaboration with Read and the project partners, it was decided that the mural would feature a group of students who would be representative of the diverse students who make up the Read Elementary student body.

“For kids to be able to see themselves and to know that they are seen and loved is a big deal,” said Medina. “And this school is magnetic. I knew from the second I walked in last year that Read was the perfect place to paint my first mural in Oshkosh. It felt like I was surrounded by a bunch of small versions of myself. I felt like I knew the kids because I was those kids. I felt like I was home.”

The mural is located on two intersecting walls where the corner of the school meets the outside playground. Each wall features two separate images; the north-facing wall depicts an image of a student smiling between the school’s name - “Read” - with the letters “RE” and “AD” on the left and right sides of the student. The east-facing wall shows the likeness of two students smiling at each end of the mural. Located between the two students is the phrase, “On Our Way”, written vibrant, multicolored lettering.

Students from every grade level at the school were able to participate in the painting of the mural and left their marks on school history. Classes were each assigned an hour to go outside and paint a different portion of the mural with the guidance of Mr. Medina and several volunteers. With 365 students involved and over 40 volunteers, this was the largest hands-on project Medina had ever done. 

The mural project also provided powerful mentoring moments, as Medina shared: "I was shaking cans and thinking how annoying it was. Then I thought to myself I bet there is a kid that would love to do this..." Medina invited a student who he saw was struggling that day to help, and through their interaction, the student expressed that they didn’t like school and that they wanted "to be just like you." Medina reminded the Read student of the importance of education, and they spent time talking about goals and the future. Then, at the end of the day, that same student found Medina and was so proud to show him that he had completed all of his assignments, and stayed engaged in the classroom. Moments like these highlighted the mural's deeper impact - allowing students to see themselves represented while being mentored towards success.

The following week, Read families and community members were invited to celebrate the completion of the mural through an evening of food and festivities. The celebration featured a  performance from Mariachi Nuevo Garibaldi - a mariachi ensemble from Milwaukee, a taco station and refreshment table, as well as yard games and an open playground.

Emily Eisenschink, the principal of Read Elementary, delivered a short speech to attendees and extended her gratitude to the community for making the new mural possible. Mrs. Eisenschink also acknowledged the importance of visual representation of the diverse communities and cultures of students who attend local schools.

“We talk to our students about mirrors and windows. It’s so important for our students to see themselves in the mirror that is this mural. It is also important for students to see this mural as a window to see people unlike them, but also so very much like them,” stated Mrs. Eisenschink. “We want students to see themselves, their successful futures, their identities, and their abilities. We want our students to know that this mural represents all the love that their school family feels for them - from the playground, to the mural, to the teachers who hold them to high expectations - because we believe in each and every student.” 

“Often, the first thing that people see about us is our skin color,” stated Mr. Medina, who also serves as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Mentor Coordinator in the Appleton Area School District, “We hope that this mural reaffirms to students that their skin color is beautiful.” 

The Read Elementary School playground renovation project is expected to be completed in June. A public grand opening will be held on June 25 from 5 - 7 p.m. to celebrate the project’s completion and to thank the school community for their contributions to the engaging new space. The community celebration will feature free fun for the entire family. Highlights will include a real fire truck, a meet and greet with Marshall from Paw Patrol, face painting, Kona Ice, and playground fun. The event will take place outside Read Elementary, located at 1120 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh.