Legacy Projects at Mueller and Bayfront: Parallel Journeys in Creativity
This spring, students from Mueller K8 and Bayfront Charter High School in Chula Vista worked together to create colorful legacy murals. These projects came to life thanks to the teamwork between students and our ARTS on Campus team.
Mueller K8: “Leader in Me”
At Mueller, the “Leader in Me” project brought creativity and a sense of community to the campus. Each 6th grader designed and painted their own tile, creating a colorful mural that highlights both leadership and individuality.
With guidance from ARTS teaching artist Jerry Scott Lopez and a team of teaching artists and assistants, more than 250 students took part in this ten-week project. It started with lessons on painting basics, helping students gain confidence and connect with their creativity. As Lopez explained, “It’s about building their confidence and getting used to the materials before creating their masterpiece of self-expression.”
The completed mural showcases portraits of leaders from five academic subjects, each selected by a different class. Every 6th grader contributed a unique, hand-painted tile, infusing their own personality and creativity into the piece. These individual tiles, each vibrant and distinct, were carefully arranged to form a cohesive, large-scale mosaic. The finished artwork is more than just a campus beautification; it’s a powerful example of how student voices and collective action can bring a shared vision
to life.
Bayfront Charter High School: “Connected by Currents”
Bayfront Charter High School recently revealed “Connected by Currents,” a colorful mural filled with ocean images that honor the school’s shark mascot. The mural includes sea creatures like a sea turtle and a bright orange starfish. With guidance from teaching artist Kelsey Kenny, a group of seniors combined their talents and ideas to create a mural that shows school pride, unity, and creativity.
This project is only the latest milestone in our long-standing partnership with Bayfront’s advanced art classes. Over several sessions, our collaborations have resulted in a series of permanent art installations that enrich the campus and nurture a deep sense of community and creative growth among students. Check out the first mural from last Spring to our more recent mosaic planter boxes and learn more about ARTS approach to legacy projects.
Throughout this ongoing collaboration, teaching artist Kelsey Kenny has mentored students through their first large-scale public art projects. Each session deepens their skills, confidence, and appreciation for teamwork. As Kelsey reflects, “It’s always exciting to teach and then guide the students to realize their potential through their artistic skills and ideas!”
At Bayfront, each project is more than an art lesson. It shows how creativity, teamwork, and ongoing partnerships can work together to make something beautiful.
Celebrating Leadership and Community
Both schools celebrated their new murals with lively events that brought together students, families, staff, and principals. There was a lot of pride and excitement as teaching artists, program coordinator David Pena, and Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator Linda Libby spoke to everyone. David said, “Projects like this remind us that art has the power to unite and inspire our school communities.”
Today, these murals are lasting reminders of the creativity, teamwork, and shared vision at Mueller and Bayfront. As Linda Libby said, “Artists teaching students art is essential”—a truth seen in every brushstroke and every group decision.
Looking ahead, we are excited to keep working with Bayfront this fall. Kelsey will come back to help students add to their mural over the next two seasons, and both schools will look for new ways to grow and innovate artistically. “Leader in Me” and “Connected by Currents” are now more than murals—they are living symbols of what schools can do when art, vision, and community come together.