Community Colors

Artist

Poudre Community Academy

Year

2021

Location

2540 Laporte Ave.

Description

"The students began with our traditional school doodle on butcher paper, our usual ritual for our transformer designs. I have done this multiple times, but it seems as though the students are hesitant to free draw as well as lack motivation to learn. I decided to recreate and combine together the ideas the students came up with.
We decided one side should be a rubix cube because the students would always comment on how good of an idea that was. There is about a foot space between the transformer and fence, so I figured the simpler the design the better. Painting only the colors of the boxes might be what the students decide once we get to it.
Even though the students created this design through doodling, I feel it had a lot of symbolism in who the students are at PCA. The skull with rose and puzzle pieces represents the warrior aspect of being human, the traumas, trials and tribulations. They know life can be puzzling especially when you are try-ing to survive but it's the simple things that bring it beauty.
I have noticed teenagers love to draw eyes and we have incorporated at least one in every design. Eyes are like fingerprints, unique to the individual but much more visual, the windows into our souls. The eye identifies their distinct experiences and personal perspectives they bring to PCA.
Our young people are always looking to their future, a way to grow up too fast. Moons, planets and stars are a constant subject they have interest in as well as the wonderment of aliens and space. This imagery makes me think of their path, where they came from, how much they grow, learning how to navigate and explore the good life that is ahead of them.
I think the landscape design defines the Community aspect of PCA. The students take pride in where they are from and have loyalty to those who treat you like family. They value connections, and give what they can through service learning. They have found where they fit in, where they can call home."

- Kirstan Chalfant Adams

Photos