Cali’s ‘really cool’ mural unveiled

After five months of work, Camille Whiteman and the students of
Cali Calm/cac Charter School finished their goal of turning one
ugly wall into a stunning work of art last week when they unveiled
the mural project they began last September.
“It’s really, really cool,” said seventh-grader Ashley Freyer,
who was one of 900 students who had some part in the project. “I
like it a lot, it’s covering up one of our ugly walls.”
Whiteman, a Cali Calm/cac parent, volunteer and professional
designer, declared the project as her gift to a generation of
children who have gone without an art curriculum in school. Over
the course of the project, she’s accomplished her goal.
A mural that began with a dish drive at the beginning of the
school year has blossomed into a wall of self portraits crafted by
the entire student body. All nine grade levels contributed to the
mural, turning what was once a dull, white wall into a display of
colors and images that will be appreciated for decades to come.
The students rewarded Whiteman this past Friday, presenting her
with cap and cape and showering her with gifts.
“This was lovely, look at all of my presents,” Whiteman said.
“It’s nice to do something for people who appreciate it.”
After five months of work, Whiteman is left to stand back and
marvel at what her group of students managed to accomplish. “I love
it,” she said. “I think it’s really gorgeous. People should come
and see it. The kids are really proud of it.”
Even WUSD Superintendent Robert Carter came out to the ceremony,
and he liked what he saw. “I think it looks fantastic,” he
said.
The Cali Calm/cac band played over the course of the hour-long
ceremony, as class by class came out to personally thank Whiteman.
Many students took a moment to reflect on the accomplishment.
“It was fun,” said seventh-grader Christina Menth. “I’m really
proud that it’s finished.
Morgan Holman, an eighth-grader at the school, agreed. “It’s
cool,” she said. “It makes us even more unique than we already are.
How many other schools have murals like this?”
Even though she’s glad to see her project completed, Whiteman
admits to being a little sad that she won’t be working with the
students on the project. “Lots of the kids were disappointed that
we finished,” she said. “I’ll always be around for them to make art
with.”