​Grand Reveal of Art Installation in Courtyard

By Jaheim Jones and Destiny Vara

​The grand unveiling of an art installation by a renowned local artist will be presented in early December for the entire school. The massive installation of 28 panels will be hung on the outside walls of the courtyard. Students and staff will notice large, covered panels throughout the courtyard, in anticipation for the big reveal. But what’s behind the panels are a masterpiece inspired by the ideas from our very own East High students.

Local artist Shawn Dunwoody has painted these mural panels for our school, based on students’ voice about leaders and activists that reflect their ethnicity and culture. Dunwoody has painted several graffiti-style murals around the city of Rochester, including the “piano keys” on the intersection of East Main and Gibbs Street.  The theme for the murals in the East High courtyard is inspired by the book Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston and is a culturally relevant project designed to bring the community together. 

​Dunwoody states, “Creativity inspires and plays on our curiosity. This inspiration makes people want to hear more, learn more, and engage more.” Some of the significant figures in world history that will be depicted in the murals include Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela, and Frida Kahlo, just to name a few. So keep an eye on the courtyard to see the grand reveal of this exciting, inspiring Dunwoody mural of our very own.