Pioneer Murals Guide Pioneer Middle School
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Introduction
During 2016 and 2017, I was asked to design a series of murals for the opening of the new Pioneer Middle School in Shelton, Washington. I worked in collaboration with the architect, Eric Lanciault, as he designed the building. It was the superintendent, Marty Brewer, who came up with the concept that each wing of the school should be represented by one of the four original schoolhouses which came together to form the Pioneer School District. In researching this project, I spent a good deal of time in Shelton and the South Puget Sound region, visiting old schoolhouses, talking to residents and combing through photos at the Mason County Historical Society. I did my best to capture the spirit of this wonderful place and I hope that the murals are a reflection of this community, its shared history and bright future. Each mural was digitally designed and printed full size on laminated panels. A special thank you to: The Mason County Historical Society; the Pioneer School Board; Superintendent Marty Brewer; The Washington Historical Society; Eric Lanciault, Architect; and, most importantly, the students and staff of the Pioneer Middle School: you are what makes the work worth doing.
-Erika Warhus page 3
Oakland Bay
Agate
Harstine Island
Grant
Pioneer School District
Four Schoolhouses The Forum murals were designed to be displayed in the intersection of the school’s primary hallways. This area is known as the “forum” because it is a place for gathering. Each mural represents one of the original four schoolhouses that served the area. Eventually, these four different schools were merged to form the Pioneer School District.
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Each mural is linked by a series of layers: Historical Photo: A historical photo related to the place or the original schoolhouse makes up the background of the mural.
Thumb Print: Every forum mural has a brightly-colored “thumb print� related to land or water.
Animal: Each mural has an animal that captures the spirit and history of each hallway. Symbol of Learning: The murals were inspired by particular themes of learning: science and experimentation, math and logic, reading/writing and storytelling, artistic expression. Graphic Text: Every mural has an inspirational word associated with it. The words are meant to reflect the learning experience at Pioneer Middle School: Try, Discover, Make, Question and Grow.
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Commons Mural •• The mural in the commons is in the shape of a cross-section of a log. The pattern of the rings was modeled after a photo taken at Jarrell Cove State Park on Harstine Island. •• This tree is a symbol of the Pioneer community. The green ring is the 17th ring from the center and represents the new school, which opened in 2017. •• The rings of a tree make a sort of “thumb print” that is unique to each individual tree. The mix of nature, history, learning, expression and community is what makes Pioneer Middle School unique. page 6
Harstine Island: artistic expression Oakland Bay: reading and storytelling
Pioneer: community and collaboration Grant: science and experimentation Agate: math and logic
Land and Water •• Themes of land and water run throughout all of the Pioneer murals. They are informed by the land and water formations of the South Puget Sound.
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Agate Mural Eagle: Symbol of strength and mascot of the Pioneers.
Symbol of Learning: Symbols of addition, subtraction and division represent mathematics and logic. The word TRY emphasizes perseverance and determination.
Thumb Print: This is a slice of the Commons tree cross-section.
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Historical Photo: The Agate Schoolhouse (shown above), destroyed by fire, was one of the four original schoolhouses to make up the Pioneer School District.
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Oakland Bay Mural Otter: Symbol of curiosity and playfulness.
Symbol of Learning: Spines of books represent reading, writing and storytelling that allow students to DISCOVER new perspectives through different voices.
Thumb Print: This is a slice of the Commons tree cross-section.
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Historical Photo: Three loggers use “peavies� to move a log in the water by a lumber mill in 1945. Exact location of the photo is unknown, though it represents the logging in Oakland Bay. Photo permission: Washington Historical Society.
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Harstine Island Mural
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Historical Photo: The Harstine Ferry (affectionately called the “Leaky Tiki�) making its last run in June, 1969. The photo was taken from the new bridge on opening day. The Harstine Island school held its last classes in 1968 before joining the Pioneer School District. Chinook Salmon: Symbol of Native American history of the South Puget Sound and of the Squaxin Island and Skokomish tribes.
Symbol of Learning: Music notes represent artistic expression. MAKING is at the core of all art forms, including theatre, graphic arts, music, painting and beyond.
Thumb Print: The Harstine Island mural has a pattern of rippling water.
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Grant Mural
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Historical Photo: Digging for clams on the beach in Mason County. Asahel Curtis, photographer, March 28th, 1915. Photo permission: Washington Historical Society.
Blue Heron: Symbol of balance, wisdom and exploration.
Symbol of Learning: Beakers and test tubes symbolize science and experimentation. Asking QUESTIONS is at the core of the scientific process.
Thumb Print: This is a slice of the Commons tree cross-section.
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Thank you!
erikawarhus.com