MKThink is conducting campus assessments to ensure that Hawaii’s public school facilities continue to provide positive built environments for teaching and learning.
During our assessment at Maui Waena Intermediate School, it was hard not to notice a large-scale glass mosaic mural depicting forms and flora in a bold and colorful design. The mural was created through a public school art program by artist Bob Flint. It is titled Mohala pua no ho‘ona‘auao (Through education the children blossom). The flowers in the mural represent the diverse cultural student body and their growth from bud to bloom. Along with realizing the commissioned artwork, Flint workshopped for 20 days with students, teaching visual principles and the creative process of professional artists.
The piece and educational program were made possible through the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, which has funded over 100 works of art across public schools in Hawai‘i.
Such a strong moment of connection between art, learning and place had to be shared.
To learn more about the public school art program, visit this site.
More work from Bob Flint is found here.