Minuteman High School
Minuteman High School mural artists Lucy Couet and Mariana Torres-Roman are painting a mural at the Cary Memorial Library in Lexington.
The Cary Memorial Library’s Teen Space will soon have a new mural adorning the wall, thanks to two industrious students from Minuteman High School, school officials announced.
Seniors Lucy Couet, of Arlington and Mariana Torres-Roman, of Watertown, are both in the Design and Visual Communications program at Minuteman. They are interning at the Library this fall to complete the mural which they designed, said their teacher, Maria Galante.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Minuteman High School students on this project,” said Jennifer Forgit, the Library’s Teen Services Manager. “From the outset of the Teen Room design project, we knew that it would be important to pay attention to the design and decor so that teens would feel at home. This is their space, and we want the look and the feel of the room to convey that. The mural will be the final piece to really personalize the space for Lexington teens.”
Ms. Couet and Ms. Torres-Roman will be spending 18 hours a week at the library during the weeks when they would ordinarily be in their vocational program until the mural is completed in December of 2017. It measures approximately 7 feet by 10 feet and will be done with paint, markers and pencils on canvas. Materials for the mural will be funded by the Cary Memorial Library Foundation. The mural showcases themes such as diversity, acceptance and community in a fanciful and engaging manner.
“Getting to express these ideas and touching people’s emotions through art is a dream of mine and I’m really happy it’s becoming a reality,” said Ms. Torres-Roman.
On October 4, she presented her initial sketches for the mural – as well as some prepared by Ms. Couet – to the Library’s Teen Advisory Board for their review. “She was composed and professional,” said Ms. Forgit. “She was not only open to ideas and suggestions from the group, but encouraged them to talk with her so that she
could better understand their point of view.”
The students say they have benefited in numerous ways from doing this project. “I expect to learn how to work in a creative but professional environment,” said Ms. Couet. “I really hope to learn also how to commit to a deadline. I really hope to grow as a person and as a worker. I want to learn from this hands-on experience.”
Ms. Forgit feels that the Minuteman students truly succeeded at their task – creating a striking piece of original art that conveys important messages. “Both artists’ sketches really captured what we were looking for,” she said. “We are so lucky to be working with a pair of such talented, creative and thoughtful artists.”
Minuteman is an award-winning regional high school that integrates robust academic and career & technical learning to deliver a revolutionary competitive advantage. The school serves a diverse student body with multiple learning styles, expanding opportunities for college and career success.
As an accredited member of the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC), Minuteman challenges all students to aspire to their full potential, accelerate their learning, and achieve success in the 21st- century global community.