Primary School de Mheyster

For this special art project, I developed a participatory artwork in which connection was central. Together with more than two hundred children from the primary school, after-school care, and the preschool, a mural was created that literally and figuratively connects the stories of all participants.

The project began with an inspiring introductory lesson in which I talked about my work as a mural artist and the creative process behind a mural. Afterwards, we discussed the theme of connection with each group. What does it mean to be connected to yourself, to others, and to the place where you live?

During the workshops, each participant created a personal artwork on canvas. Some chose a self-portrait, others painted their family, their favorite place, or the environment they come from. Everything was welcome: colorful or subdued, realistic or imaginative. It was precisely the differences between the artworks that made it clear how unique everyone is and how that diversity together forms a single whole.

From the many canvases, I selected the most special and striking works. These became the inspiration for a large mural that flows through the long corridor of the school building. The mural connects the different floors and merges the individual stories of the children into one collective artwork. The original canvases are incorporated into it, making the students’ personal contributions literally part of the final result.

The project is about more than just making art. It shows that connection arises by listening to each other, embracing differences, and creating something together in which everyone can recognize themselves. In this way, a lasting artwork was created in which the identity of all participants is visible and which serves as a daily reminder of the power of collaboration, creativity, and connectedness.