MIDDLETOWN– Students at Middletown High School are required to complete a senior project in order to graduate. Senior Brianna McKnight, 18, utilized the opportunity to beautify her school as well as inspire her fellow students to newer heights.
McKnight, who said her father inspired her to nurture her artistic talents from a young age, created an inspirational mural, which she placed at the entrance of the campus library. The mural is a sturdy tree with lovely, soft pink blossoms. The message below reads: “Brilliance Blossoms Here.”
“I wanted to do a tree because tree blossoms represent re-birth,” McKnight. “I figured this would be perfect because brilliance blossoms here, especially in the library. I hope it stays here for many years to come. I hope the librarian likes it and I hope it makes people want to go inside.”
McKnight said that she views the piece as a tribute to her fellow students, recognizing their hard work and dedication to education. She said that she hopes the piece will bring awareness to the importance of art. “Since we don”t have art classes anymore, I hope this helps bring them back,” she said. “I think art is very important.”
McKnight said she”s been an artist all her life, thanks to the encouragement of her father. “When my sister and I were really little my dad always had us draw. We always had a pen or pencil in our hand. My mother didn”t much like it when we”d use her red lipstick to draw,” McKnight said with a laugh. “So, my dad has pretty much been my mentor encouraging me tot draw and practice more.”
McKnight said she would like to continue to nurture her artistic talents. She would like to go attend the Academy of Art someday. She said she”s first going to focus on obtaining her general education possibly in Napa.
McKnight said it took about 25 hours to complete the mural. She said she drew up her plans first and then used a projector to transfer the image onto the library wall.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
