Clark Mural: The Best Parts of Us

Hands, eyes, feet, knees, smiles, and hair. Ears, teeth, noses, wrists, faces, and thumbs. A myriad of close-up black and white images are woven into a mural in the first-floor hallway at Clark Elementary School. Titled “The Best Parts of Us,” the artwork is a schoolwide collaborative piece created to share every student’s favorite part of themselves. 

At the beginning of the school year as one element of the school’s equity pledge project, Principal Brandy Falk visited each of Clark’s 29 classrooms to read the book “The Best Part of Me,” by Wendy Ewald. Then, Falk took a photo of each student’s self-identified “best part.” The photos were printed and then used to create a mosaic-style mural. 

"We have a very diverse student body at Clark Elementary, and we want students to celebrate our differences and similarities,” Falk said. “By celebrating how unique all students are, it allows us to embrace and accept everyone – whether you have a special birthmark, a wheelchair, freckles, a hearing device, glasses, etc., everyone has so many things that make them unique. All 700 of us have pledged to be accepting and kind to all." 

The book is part of the “Literacy Through Photography” project that originated at Duke University and provides a glimpse into how young children perceive themselves, Falk said. 

"Our goal was to create a visual representation of our diversity at Clark, while also celebrating our similarities and commonalities,” she said. “The mural is located in our main hallway and students pass by it multiple times a day. This has sparked open conversations and courageous conversations throughout our school.” 

Clark students shared their thoughts about the mural: 

• “I think it was kind of creative. It was fun to see what my friends picked,” said fifth grader Ayshat G., who chose a photo of her hands because she likes to draw. 
• Third grader Beth S. said she picked her heart, because it helps her live. 
• “I also did my heart, because if you have a good heart, it makes you be nice to each other,” third grader Heer B. said. 
• “I think it’s cool. We shared the favorite part of our bodies. I picked my legs, because they help me run in soccer,” said Soren N., a fifth grade student. 
• “I think that it was a fun project to do and I like the meaning of it and the purpose of the art,” said fifth grader Arianna D., who chose her eyes because of compliments she receives. 
• “I like my heart because it helps me live and be kind,” said fifth grade student Senthilvel J. 
• “I think it’s cool because she took a picture of the whole school and put it all together. It’s creative,” said Shamira G., a third grader. 
• “It shows what people have in common,” third grader Savitha G. said. 
• “I think it shows how different people can have a lot of respect for people with disabilities,” said Aviva V., a fourth grader. 
• “I think it was a very great idea because it was everybody’s special parts of themselves. It is very beautiful,” said fourth grader Ilakiya S., who chose her hands for the project. 

Counselor Hannah Niblock pieced the photos together into the finished mural. “I could tell it was going to be special as I put the pictures together,” Niblock said. “Each time we added another class or grade level to the images, it would feel more complete and look even better than before. ... It was fun to see how all the pieces fit together and to know that our project would be such a bright moment for students when they finally got to see it.“ 

“It has been so fun to see students react to the project,” she continued. “I’ve seen classes waiting for their specialists and all of the students are trying to find each other on the wall – there is so much excitement. I have also had some sweet conversations with students about why they chose a certain part of themselves.” 

Parent Katherine Hays said she is grateful for the school’s work to foster inclusion. 

“As I walked the halls, I immediately noticed the new mural and was frozen in my tracks. Seeing every child celebrated in their own way was so powerful. Bright eyes, cute knees, soft hair, cheerful smiles – so much to hold pride in! When I saw that every child had an opportunity to express some self love, I felt even more confident that my son is in the right place. His future is brighter because he’s in an environment that values every child’s uniqueness,” Hays said. “(He) is so happy to come to school every day.” 

Fourth grade teacher and equity lead Jennifer Giambrone said she and Falk discussed different options for the schoolwide project and landed on this idea because it allowed them to highlight every student. When it was complete, Giambrone said she was amazed. 

“The mural is striking visually, and it is so neat to see the similarities and differences in the composite of all the students’ choices,” she said. “When we were thinking about student belonging at Clark, we really wanted belonging to go beyond just being welcome in the building.  They are, of course, but we want every student to know that they are the fabric of the place. The individuals that make up Clark ARE Clark.  Not only are they welcome, but we cannot be Clark without each and every one of them.”