Hoffman-Boston Elementary now has a new mural thanks to a collaboration between its 5th grade students and renowned artist MasPaz.
The mural features animals from foxes to fishes and took the students several weeks to paint along one of the school’s main hallways, according to a video of the project.
MasPaz, whose name means “more peace,” has painted murals worldwide before moving back to Arlington. He told ARLnow last year he’s eager to work on more local projects.
Hoffman-Boston’s mural is part of the student’s legacy project that build “excitement” among other students who got to see the work progress over the past month, said art teacher Emily Wade.
This year’s 5thgrade legacy project is a mural with the incredible @MasPazUno! #HFBtweets #APSisAwesome pic.twitter.com/Zk9qylXLlr
— Hoffman-Boston Art (@artHFB) November 28, 2018
Wade said it was an “incredible opportunity” for the students to get to learn from the Columbia-born artist who grew up in Arlington and attended Oakridge Elementary and H-B Woodlawn.
“So many of our students here can relate to that,” said Wade.
5th Grade Legacy Mural Project at #HoffmanBostonElementary Big thanks @artHFB and awesome staff @FLESatHFB & @HinksonMelissa Such a fun with the students! #SchoolMural #MasPaz @APSVirginia #PublicSchoolArt #ArlingtonVa pic.twitter.com/cAQU4NsQdK
— MasPaz (@MasPazUno) January 10, 2019
“I liked doing the mural with MasPaz,” said one student interviewed in the video. “He has a very unique style and I like the way he designed the fox and I hope he comes back again.”
The project was funded by The Humanities Project which brings artists into Arlington schools to lead workshops or teach courses.