Foundation Academy artists spread Christmas cheer in Windermere

Foundation Academy students met in the town of Windermere to spread some early Christmas joy Saturday, Nov. 12. 

Ten students from the school’s AP Art and Portfolio class worked to paint a colorful holiday theme on the wall outside of local Windermere business Vintage Realty.

Each year, Vintage Realty rotates between schools to paint its mural. The business typically requests Foundation Academy and The First Academy.

Although this is only the school’s second time participating in the project, Upper School art teacher Janelle Bell said it is an opportunity the students have looked forward to each year.

As part of the art classes, students are members of the National Art Honor Society, an organization that requests its members to participate in an outreach project for the community. 

“This is a way for them to come out and do something together and participate in a local outreach,” Bell said. 

The students met at 6:45 a.m. and worked a majority of the day to paint vibrant ornaments with a holiday message on the side of the building. Bell said the image is selected by Vintage Realty every year and the students work to replicate the graphic. 

Junior Erika Kime, 16, said she worked mostly on the rendering of certain ornaments and painting where it was needed.

“I love that art doesn’t have a specific language — it’s universal,” she said. “Everyone can connect to it, and it has so many different versions of meaning and beauty.”

Kime said the project was a great opportunity because it allowed the students to learn outside of the classroom environment.

“It doesn’t feel like a school assignment,” she said. “It feels like a fun project that we can do in the community and spread some Christmas joy.”

Ruby Berthole, 17, and a senior at Foundation Academy, said she mostly worked on the shading and highlighting of the ornaments to make them come to life. 

Berthold said art helps her express herself and show others what goes on in her mind through a physical image rather than words. 

“It’s cool being able to take what we learned in the classroom and apply it to real life,” she said. “We also get to give back to our community in a way.”