'Walking field trip' available at STARS
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on September 12, 2016 10:11 AM
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Fremont STARS Elementary School second-graders, from left, Addison West, Addison Reinhard, Mason Pippin and Logan Corbett enjoy one of the murals outside their classroom on the second floor hallway of the school.
FREMONT -- Fremont STARS Elementary School features a "walking field trip" of the state of North Carolina.
The hallways of the second floor of the school are adorned with colorful depictions of the state's rich heritage -- from the mountain regions to the coastal plains, with a sprinkling of local history tossed in for good measure.
The project actually began over five years ago when Cheryl Hooks, professor of art and visual communications at University of Mount Olive, recognized the "blank canvas" and its potential while at the Fremont school with her son, then a student.
She researched the state's curriculum guidelines for elementary students and began creating sketches to fill the unadorned walls.
Art students at then-Mount Olive College were enlisted to take on the project, investing more than 1,000 hours in the landscape that is 10 feet high and 150 feet in length.
The series of artwork, representing the contrasting regions of the state, wraps around the halls where second- and fourth-graders attend classes.
"Nearly every wall on the second floor is covered in murals displaying areas of North Carolina, from the mountains to the coast for students to 'visit' and be exposed to as a part of their educational curriculum," said Ken Derksen, Wayne County Public Schools' director of communication services.
The only down side to the effort, said Principal Sheila Wolfe, is its location.
"It's on the second floor, where not many see it," she said.
Tammy Wallace, a fourth-grade teacher, was teaching fifth grade when the art project was going on and witnessed the excitement as the mural took shape.
From the Cape Hatteras lighthouse on one wall to smaller pictures of insects, flowers and state symbols throughout, the various weather patterns are also a backdrop on many of the renderings.
There is even a map of the state featuring books that the students will read -- like "James and the Giant Peach," "The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe" and "Island of the Blue Dolphins."
"It'll spark for them, as they recognize these when it comes time to read the books," Ms. Wallace said. "That makes them want to read these books."
The local region is also prominently featured -- including the popular annual Daffodil Festival, held in Fremont, and a rendering of the local elementary school.
"Every time visitors come, we make sure they come up here," Ms. Wallace said. "Nobody ever comes up here but now they do.
"It's really cool, too, because a lot of students are out of district. Students don't know Fremont history."
It may be aesthetically pleasing to those who navigate the halls, but it has also met the spirit of the school -- educating.
"You've got pictures of rural North Carolina, Wayne County right there. It's really good for (students) to make connections," Ms. Wallace said. "We take it for granted.
"Imagine just white walls, and now you've got this."