Mural Club has started up yet again here at WCHS with both returning and new members, but what is mural club? Mural club is a group at WCHS that takes time out of their school day to design and make murals. These art pieces aren’t just for WCHS, they are for many other points of interest around the community including last year’s Lost Boys mural that was made for the Dayton Metro Library here in West Carrollton. They are currently working on a mural for the West Carrollton Y.M.C.A.
Mural club is advised/hosted by John Grosvenor, Mr. G to all the students. Mr. G is a digital art teacher and is one of the three teachers in the art department. I sat down with Mr. G and four of the mural club artists who have been a part of mural club for more than a year.
Rihona, a junior at WCHS, wholeheartedly believes that anyone who is thinking about being a part of mural club should definitely join if they can. “It’s such a fun experience and everyone is accepting. It’s such a safe and respectful environment,” she stated.
Kevin Davis added that mural club is so worth it and that it would be a shame for any student to pass up the opportunity. Kevin added that mural club is such a cooperative club and it brings together different types of people/friend groups and makes them one big happy “mural club” family. Kevin feels people who normally wouldn’t interact almost instantly talk and become friends due to mural club. The common goal is to get the mural finished.
Samson is a senior and hesitated to join mural club, but once he joined he quickly realized how much he enjoyed it and felt welcome. Samson says that mural club brings together all the diverse groups and introverts and extroverts and helps them all become friends and get to know each other. These opportunities are all offered in mural club and mural club welcomes all students from sophomores to seniors.
Mr. G discussed his goals and dreams for the club. He said, “My goal is to get more outreach in the community. I want people or organizations to come together and talk to us so we can make murals for their buildings and other points of interest.” Mr. G says if any student has an interest or passion in art, then chase after that passion by any means. Mr.G has one rule, “don’t worry about mistakes.” He hopes to help students realize mistakes are normal, and you can just paint right over it. Another important point Mr. G heavily stressed is “there are no deadlines in mural club, there is no pressure, and no due dates. This is a student run club. All I do is help and set up the kids are the artists, the kids are the people who run the club.” Mr. G’s main goal is to inspire kids to feel free to express themselves and run by their own rules and exceptions. Mural club isn’t just a club; it can be a second home to the artists of WCHS and everyone who wants to join.
