Student-led Mural Initiative at Hellgate High School
In the vibrant and artistic community of Missoula, Hellgate High School is renowned for its colourful hallways adorned with numerous murals. Recently, a student-led project has arisen to add another masterpiece to this artistic landscape, with a unique twist.
Junior class vice-president Leo Westenfelder spearheaded the initiative, seeing a blank wall near the choir room as a blank canvas. The project aims to fill a section of wall in the third-floor English and choir hallway with a student-created mural.
The project received 11 submissions from Hellgate students of all grade levels for the mural design contest. One of these submissions, from junior artist Sabine Glaser, stands out as it addresses a prevalent cultural issue, connecting it to both the Missoula and Hellgate communities.
Glaser's mural depicts a Salish woman in medieval knight's armor, with the red hand of missing and murdered Indigenous women covering her mouth. The mural also features Missoula's iconic M and L and the phrase "No More Stolen Sisters" written in the sky. Glaser submitted her design to the contest, choosing it because she felt it had purpose and represented an underrepresented community at Hellgate High School.
Glaser's mural aims to bring more awareness to the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and have a positive impact on the community. The mural design with the most votes, including those from both the student body and the community, will be painted by the corresponding student artist, with donations from the Zootown Arts Community Center (ZACC) art show funding the student artists' materials for the mural.
Hellgate High School's annual art showcase, hosted by Frame of Mind Gallery, is a significant part of the local art scene, showcasing various art forms, including watercolors. The student-led mural project is another example of the school's commitment to fostering artistic expression.
Missoula's diverse and inclusive culture is further reflected in its community events, such as the "No Kings" parade and Pride celebrations, which often involve local artists and organizations. The city's latest addition, a new mural titled "Alive with the Land" by Montana artist Madison Perrins, is being created on Worden's Market, aiming to celebrate Missoula's unique character and contribute to its vibrant and inclusive atmosphere.
As the votes are counted and the winner is announced, the community eagerly awaits the addition of a new mural to the halls of Hellgate High School, one that promises to both beautify the school and raise awareness about an important issue.
All student submissions, including Sabine Glaser's design, strive to reflect the lifestyle and values of the Hellgate community. The chosen mural, with its powerful message about missing and murdered Indigenous women, will not only enhance the home-and-garden aesthetic of the school but also foster a sense of government-supported unity and inclusivity within the community.
