PORT TOWNSEND — A Massachusetts-based muralist created three projects during his Port Townsend sojourn this fall, most prominently a mural in the Port Townsend High School cafeteria intended to raise the spirits of students going through adolescent angst.
“Every student can see this, which will provide relief when they are facing a hard or challenging day,” said Carrie Erhardt, the school’s principal, to a crowd of about 50 people during a dedication on Tuesday.
“This is a way to remind them every day that they are valued. If today is bad, tomorrow can be better.”
The 9-foot-by-25-foot mural uses pastel colors and embeds a giant “You Are Loved” message, with the purpose of providing inspiration and support for anyone who walks by.
Its creator, Alex Cook, 41, has installed 14 similarly messaged murals in schools around the country, in Washington state, California, Massachusetts and Louisiana.
He has plans for installations in Texas, Oregon and Michigan.
Each mural includes the same message but varies according to the size of the available space and students’ input about color and layout.
“The purpose is to make students feel safe,” Cook said.
“They are not going to be able to learn if they don’t feel safe — and images support this.”
Cook said he experimented with different designs before settling on a large-letter motif.
“Why do we have to be subtle?” he asked.
“We should say it directly and clearly, what students are dying to hear every day.”
The installation took three days, one day each of design, painting and touch-up.
While in Port Townsend, Cook also created murals at Blue Heron Middle School and behind the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce building at 2409 Jefferson St.
“Before Alex painted the mural, the area was a homely concrete bunker,” said Teresa Verraes, the chamber’s executive director.
“It has now been transformed into this glorious space.”
The mural’s message has already taken hold, according to art teacher Lucy Chambers.
“While the students were painting, I heard them talking about what the message meant to them personally,” Chambers said.
“They were sharing life experiences about times when they felt loved or not loved,” she added.
“This message affirms they are loved regardless of the negative times in their lives.”
Chambers said listening to the students resembled a spiritual experience.
“It’s important for us to realize how art can do that for people,” she said.
Cook said the murals attempt to evoke a feeling rather than a specific image.
“I try to think a little bit bigger than a literal connection to what is happening in the building,” he said.
“Art should be about something important and should be an expression of deep imagination, so we need to think about what an image can do and what it can give to the community.”
Cook said that the paint used is indoor latex house paint which he expects to “last forever.”
“I don’t expect that I will need to come back and touch this one up,” he said.
“Although I do want to return to Port Townsend.”
Cook’s project is self-financed and supported by a crowdsourcing campaign that can be accessed at tinyurl.com/PDN-Murals.
As of Wednesday afternoon, he had raised $1,620 toward a $6,500 goal.
For information about the project go to www.youarelovedmurals.com.
________
Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
