HONOLULU –Students at Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School dedicated a beautiful new campus mural depicting a message of hope, covering an outer wall of its new Science & Technology Center, spanning two stories and over 1,000 square feet.
Created in collaboration with local artist Estria Miyashiro, the Estria Foundation and the Mele Murals public art movement, the new mural is entitled "Kalamakūokeau," translated as "The Torch of This Generation," and was inspired by a theme of “hope." The images depict King David Kalakaua, Queen Liliʻuokalani, Princess Kaʻiulani, school namesake Robert Louis Stevenson and Hawaiʻi’s warriors passing the symbolic torch of hope to Hawaiʻi’s youth.
“Stevenson Middle is thrilled to dedicate this wonderful mural for our students, alumni and our community,”said Principal Linell Dilwith. “Our entire student body took part in creating this vibrant artwork and we thank our Lead Artists Estria Miyashiro, Wayne Takazono and Eugene Kristofher, and the entire Estria Foundation for making this project a hands-on experience filled with cultural lessons that our students will never forget.”
All 665 Stevenson Middle students participated in the mural’s creation with guidance from Lead Artists Estria, Takazono and Kristofher, Mele Murals Program Manager Mahea Akau, along with Stevenson Middle Principal Dilwith, Vice-Principal Sonja Samsonas, Counselor Christian Ellis and teachers Lakecia King and Noah Kawano.
In the production phase, students brush-painted, shaded, and then spray-painted under the tutelage of artist and mentor Estria. To help dedicate the completed artwork, students introduced the mural to the community through Hawaiian chanting, singing, and performances by the Stevenson Middle School Hula Halau.
For more information on the Estria Foundation and Mele Murals, visit Estria.org. Click here for our Facebook photo album.
