The restroom building is not typically thought of as the most attractive part of municipal parks.
However, one wall on the restroom at Freedom Park may soon become just as beautiful as the open fields and trees for which the park is known.
The Medford Arts Center is partnering with Medford Township Schools to put a mural along the outside wall of the restroom. The center is expected to get permission to paint the mural after township council agreed to put together a resolution on the matter at its Jan. 6 meeting.
Cathy Livingstone, the education director for the Medford Arts Center, said the mural will hopefully give the arts a more visible representation in the community.
“Hopefully we raise awareness that we’re trying to keep the arts alive in Medford and also support the Medford Arts Center,” she said.
The mural will be done through donations and volunteer efforts. The MAC is teaming up with Haines School and Medford Memorial Middle School to have art students in grades six through eight submit designs for the mural as part of a contest.
“The theme will be something to be relative to nature and freedom,” Livingstone said.
After a winner is selected later this year, kids from across the township will be invited to help paint the mural. Painting is expected to begin in late June or early July.
Livingstone emphasized the importance of getting middle school-aged students involved in the project. She said the age group is key in the MAC and the art community in Medford is to continue to grow in the future.
“We’ve had a hard time with that age group trying to get them involved in classes with the MAC and even volunteering as well,” Livingstone said. “I hope it’ll encourage kids to come out and do more.”
Livingstone believes the mural will be more than just a painting for students. She feels through the process, there are a lot of lessons students will be able to learn.
“It’s not only learning about art, but it’s also teamwork and learning how to facilitate a plan,” Livingstone said. “There’s a lot of finer points these youngsters are going to learn.”
To raise money for supplies and support, the MAC is planning to launch a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo.com. The center is also hoping to garner interest from local businesses.
“It’s be great to have a sponsor for the materials to paint the mural,” Livingstone said. “It’d be great to have a sponsor donate food for when the kids are painting.”
Medford Council is expected to pass a resolution at an upcoming meeting officially granting the MAC use of the restroom building for the mural. Council said it was in support of the idea as long as the subject matter of the mural was consistent with community values.
“I thought it was a really great idea,” Mayor Chuck Watson said. “It seemed like it was well thought out and well planned out.”
Livingstone hopes the mural will be a project Medford kids can be proud of for years to come. She hopes future middle school students will be able to add their own touch.
“The vision being every three to five years, the mural will be done redone by a group of young students,” Livingstone said.
