Evergreen Park Students Blend Art and Science in New Mural

As students return to Evergreen Park Community High School, they will encounter a new mural that skillfully merges art and science. Some students utilized their summer to work on this project, completing it just in time for the new school year.

Ava Chandler, a senior with a keen interest in both art and science, noticed the absence of science-themed murals at the school. She proposed the idea to art teacher Tom Guerra, who, along with other students, supported the concept. Chandler expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, “I’m a huge science person and thought it would be a cool idea to combine science and art, to see the origins of everything and how different disciplines of science connect with each other.”

The mural features elements from the periodic table, illustrations of Sir Isaac Newton, scientific equations, and representations of evolution, including a sequence from fish to a man carrying a briefcase. It also includes a DNA helix, a dinosaur element, and an asteroid, offering a vivid depiction of science history and development.

Juliana Bosch, who recently graduated and will attend DePaul University for character design, shared her appreciation for chemistry, enjoying how substances interact and form physical realities. She emphasized the importance of accuracy, stating, “We wanted to make sure we included every detail and made sure our mural was accurate.”

The mural will be displayed in the school’s science wing. Bosch noted the joy of collaborating with peers on the project, saying, “To be able to do what we love with each other… we all love doing art.” Other key contributors included Izabella Rodriguez-Acevedo, Jax Olson, Natalia Mosely, Danny Sommerio, and Wilbur Smith.

The project received financial support from an EPCHS Foundation grant, with a frame built by Rob Rymek, an industrial technology teacher. Tom Guerra, the art teacher and a 2011 EPCHS alumnus, loved the mural concept because it offered art students a platform to express themselves. Guerra had previously painted a mural about reading, which he described as a meaningful experience, saying, “It’s a nice way to find my way back full circle, being part of the thing that propelled me.”

Guerra emphasized that art students often lack recognition compared to athletes. The mural project provides an opportunity for these students to shine and leave a lasting mark on the school. He explained, “I thought it was a really cool way to leave your mark on the school… It was a way for us to get recognition.”

Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.