Ann Carlander is bringing some color to Wrenshall. As a long time resident, substitute teacher and, starting this fall the school's art teacher, Carlander has engaged the community in painting a new mural on the school bus garage in the center of town.
"We're trying to make the arts more visible in the community and keep them thriving here," Carlander explained. "And it's an art lesson too for the students."
Through a grant written by Wrenshall students with help from Carlander, the Northland Foundation came through with funding. Valspar Paint also donated some 60 gallons of paint.
"I was so happy to hear that news," Carlander.
Carlander and about 20 people, mostly high school students, have spent the last several weeks painting with final touches to happen this week. She's also had support from other school staff in priming the building, and from community members.
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"They've been creative helpers," she said of the students.
Taking a bold approach with the mural, they chose a brightly-colored landscape representing the surrounding area. Primary shades of red, blue and yellow with bold green and orange dominate the wall.
The group is painting over a faded mural done on the same wall decades ago. That mural was a snow scene, with a lot of black and white and muted colors, according to Carlander.
"We just decided this time to go with bright colors that will grab your eye as you drive through town," she said.
"It needed changing super bad," added Wrenshall senior/painter Brian Gustafson.
When the school year begins, Carlander plans to involve the younger grades in the project as well.
"I want each of the classes to paint a brick around the rest of the building so everyone thinks of it as their mural; so it really belongs to our community," Carlander said.
Byron Johnson, an owner of The Brickyard Restaurant in Wrenshall across the street, is pleased to see the change and has been bringing lemonade and other refreshments to the parched painters.
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"It's great to see the kids out there beautifying the town," he said.
Two former students are using school art supplies to repaint a work on the other building's wall, a painting of a wolf done by a Duluth artist some 10 years ago, according to Johnson.
"My customers can see that painting so it's great that they're refurbishing that too," he said.
Carlander plans to host a mural celebration later this fall.
Pine Journal Editor Lisa Baumann can be contacted at: lbaumann@pinejournal.com .
