For years New Haven High School has had a dark room set in the back of the art classroom. This year Mrs. Katie Borcherding was asked by a student, Keerstin Mason, to add paintings to the dark room walls.
Each independent art student was given six wall blocks to paint on. They could make it wide or skinny depending on their preference. The project in the dark room is not a required assignment. The independent art students are given the option to paint a spot in the classroom.
The dark room used to be used for photograph development. The school stopped this though because of the cost. The dark room hasn’t been in use for about six years. Many students sit back in the dark room to do different projects, but it has no other use than for the students.
Only independent art students are allowed to have a spot on the wall. According to Mrs. Borcherding, she hopes that “the mural project will be completed by independent students over the next 5 to 6 years.”
The independent art students have lots of different ideas. Lauralie Grater, senior, explains, “The plan is to make a sunset puzzle piece, but I might add in some things as I continue to make it.”
Dalyla Hurst, senior, states, “I’m putting a quote up on the wall with a blue background. The quote will be from the book The Great Gatsby.”
Dori McCarty, junior, comments, “I’m not sure what I’m going to do-- it’s still a work in progress.”
New Haven students and staff are excited to see the finished product of the paintings. They wish the best to the painters. Please note that, at the time of questioning, many students were unsure of their ideas, and that the concept may have changed during the painting process.