A vibrant mural inspired by students brings themes of sustainability and diversity to West Hartford’s Charter Oak International Academy.

Muralist Michael Rice in front of his work in progress at Charter Oak International Academy. Photo courtesy of Joseph Abad.

By Mia Jaworski 

A newly-completed mural now greets students, families, and community members outside the front entrance of Charter Oak International Academy, blending art, nature, and student creativity in a vivid welcome to the school.

Painted by Hartford-based artist Michael Rice, the mural was commissioned through a partnership between the school and its PTO.

Completed mural at Charter Oak International Academy, celebrating community, nature, and student creativity. Photo credit: Mia Jaworski

It features key elements that hold special meaning for the Charter Oak community: the Charter Oak tree symbolizes strength and resilience; the dove represents peace; the monarch butterfly reflects transformation and a moment of pause; and the ladybug celebrates diversity while bringing good luck.

Principal Georgina Rivera described the mural as “a vibrant tribute to diversity, sustainability and creativity.” She said the mural will be more than just a decorative wall. “It will be a place where students gather to reflect, write, create and inquire. It stands as a lasting testament to the brilliance, imagination and inclusive spirit of our school community.”

The mural in progress at Charter Oak International Academy. Photo courtesy of Joseph Abad.

Charter Oak International Academy is an authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) World School and a magnet school that embraces a global perspective through its instructional philosophy. The IB Primary Years Program (PYP), designed for students ages 3 to 12, emphasizes the total growth of the child – social, physical, emotional, cultural and academic – with structured, purposeful inquiry at its core.

Muralist Michael Rice engages Charter Oak students in shaping the mural by combining his vision with their artwork. Courtesy Photo.

“Our international focus teaches students about their own community while forging links to the world,” Rivera said. “The curriculum encourages students to explore transdisciplinary themes such as ‘Who We Are,’ ‘Where We Are in Place and Time,’ ‘How We Express Ourselves,’ ‘How The World Works,’ ‘How We Organize Ourselves,’ and ‘How We Share The Planet.’ These units invite students to appreciate diverse perspectives and actively participate in our global society.”

Charter Oak students express their vision through drawings that inform the mural’s themes and symbols. Courtesy Photo.

The mural reflects this philosophy by linking the local community with global ideals of sustainability, diversity, and peace, while honoring student creativity and voice.

The mural in progress at Charter Oak International Academy. Photo courtesy of Joseph Abad.

Michael Rice is a self-taught visual artist known for blending realism, dreamlike illustration and abstraction. Rooted in 1980s counterculture and influenced by contemporary digital culture, his work explores the intersections of the physical and digital worlds.

His most notable mural, Reawakening Wonder (2023), is an 18-story artwork on the Millennium apartment complex at 50 Morgan Street in downtown Hartford. The piece was commissioned by The RiseUp Group and funded by Shelbourne Properties, the Greater Hartford Arts Council and The Roberts Foundation.

REAWAKENING WONDER (2023) 50 Morgan Street, Hartford, CT. Courtesy photo of Michael Rice Art.

For the Charter Oak project, Rice worked closely with students to ensure their ideas shaped the design. Rivera said, “He even attended the student art show organized by Mrs. Penelope Drown, where the students’ creativity and voices became the foundation of the mural’s design.”

Charter Oak students express their vision through drawings that inform the mural’s themes and symbols. Courtesy Photo.

The mural also reflects West Hartford’s longstanding commitment to arts education, supported by Fine Arts Supervisor Pam Murphy and initiatives like ArtQuest, which provide rich creative opportunities for students across the district.

The mural in progress at Charter Oak International Academy. Photo courtesy of Joseph Abad.

Completed mural at Charter Oak International Academy, celebrating community, nature, and student creativity. Photo credit: Mia Jaworski

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