Art Club Completes Entryway Mural /  by Peter Curran

Final installation view of entryway mural, designed and created by our 8th Grade Art Club.

The original location in September 2023.

The submitted design proposal.

In September 2023, our 8th grade art club embarked on the long road to installing a public artwork outside the Middle School lobby. They scouted various locations, landing on this due to its visibility and prominence within the MS experience.

The students photographed the space and began designing mock-ups of their design. These were debated within the group, and they finally agreed to highlight our school’s four tenets of Belonging, Empathy, Respect and Trust (aka “BERT”).

They explored swatches from Sherwin Williams to identify their palette, and researched prices from the vendor. These details were used to draft a grant proposal for our school PTO and as part of a pitch to our principal.

The design was approved and the grant was awarded, so we assembled our supplies and started transferring the design to the wall. Over the course of six weeks, with students staying late afterschool on Fridays in April and May, the design started to take shape, just in time for final signatures as the year came to a close.

These dedicated students deserve so much credit for their perseverance throughout this project. Our 8th graders are challenged with the question, “How do we leave our mark?'“ and they answered with a confidence well beyond their years.

Student artists at work applying the first line work of their design.

Gonna miss this group! Sending them my best as they move to the high school.

Student artists share art work at the Wayland Library /  by Peter Curran

Artwork by Wayland Middle School students will be on display throughout the month of May

Displays span three locations: downstairs in the Raytheon Room and upstairs in the foyer and display case

Each May, students from Wayland Middle School are invited to share their artwork at the Wayland Free Public Library. This annual exhibit includes a selection of works, representing emerging artists from across all three grade levels and in many different media.

The display spans three locations within building: the downstairs Raytheon Room and upstairs in the foyer and display case.

The exhibit is free and open to the public during regular library hours. Please check the library's events calendar before visiting the show, as sometimes the space(s) are in use.

For more information about the exhibit or about the middle school's visual art program, please contact art educator, Pete Curran.

Show flyer with cover art by 7th grader, Bo M.

Mr Curran's Summer Reading /  by Peter Curran

One tradition of our Middle School staff is to share our summer reading. Teachers are invited to create a visual display of the titles they enjoyed over the summer vacation. This is an annual example of our school’s dedication to reading as an essential activity.

This summer Mr Curran read the following titles:

  • The Fire Next Time, by James Baldwin

  • The Trespasser, by Tana French

  • The Vegetarian, by Han Kang

  • The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson

  • Top 10 Seoul, from DK

  • Tokyo, from Lonely Planet

Back to school prep /  by Peter Curran

Mr. Curran traveled to Providence to explore a new supply resource. The Creative Reuse Center plays a pivotal role in connecting local manufacturers and donors with creative outlets. Folks donate unwanted supplies, and the CRC organizes them in their warehouse. Educators like Mr Curran can browse the bins, fill their bags, and walk out with some ready-to-use materials, and all for $1 a pound!

Celebrating Youth Art Month 2023 /  by Peter Curran

The Massachusetts Art Education Association (MAEA) recently announced its 2023 Youth Art Month Statewide Virtual Exhibit. This annual event celebrates the artistic work of students across the state, inviting art educators to submit up to six artworks for inclusion. This year, our middle school was represented by six talented young artists: Nik, Jonathan, Zaara, Fiona, Nathaniel and Max.

To view the exhibit, visit their link and select “Gallery 4.”

Special note: Nathaniel, Gr 7, submitted a hand-drawn stop-motion animation that was selected for special recognition. The MAEA president reviewed all submissions and identified 13 artists whose work would represent our state at the 2023 National Convention in San Antonio, Texas. Nathaniel’s animation was selected for this special honor!