Bioko Breezeway Mural

Students and faculty at Loesche Elementary School in grades K–5 participated in a special collaboration with the Philadelphia Children First Picasso Project and Drexel University’s Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program (BBPP). This international project sought to increase students’ awareness of the threatened flora and fauna of the island nation of Bioko, located off the African coast of Equatorial Guinea.

With support from Drexel University’s BBPP and funding from the Picasso Project grant, we started a dialogue about conservation efforts in Bioko and “changed the climate” of our school. The funding was used to transform a bleak breezeway that connected one building to the kindergarten and first-grade classrooms into a vibrant rainforest filled with the native flora and fauna found in Bioko. This also served as a teaching mural and a great way to get students excited about their school environment.

Initial Artwork
Before painting the very uninviting breezeway, students created spectacular color-filled works of art depicting the vibrant flowers, towering trees, exotic plants, and endangered species of Bioko. They used paints, markers, pastels, and colored construction paper to create swimming sea turtles, comical crabs, funny frogs, proud primates, and colorful chameleons.

The result was a plethora of whimsical creatures set in their natural habitats. The artwork was displayed throughout the school building, transforming the halls into a wonder of colors, textures, patterns, and depictions of living things.

Moving to a Mural
Much of the students’ work was reproduced to scale for the Bioko Breezeway Mural, and painting ensued with students participating in the effort. Using the Picasso Project’s funding, we hired a Philadelphia artist to assist students with the production of the mural.

School-wide Collaboration
Our technology teacher helped students create animated presentations with voiceovers explaining some of the problems these special creatures face in their daily struggle for survival, such as loss of habitat and a market for bushmeat (meat from hunting wild animals).

To emphasize literacy, classroom teachers had students write about the work being done in Bioko to help preserve endangered species. In a creative writing exercise, students wrote haiku poems about sea turtles, iguanas, amphibians, birds, and primates. Students also learned about the amazing culture of Bioko and what life is like for schoolchildren on another continent a whole ocean away.

Reflections
The Bioko Breezeway Mural transformed the kindergarten and first-grade entrance from a place that was a bit intimidating for new kindergartners on their first day, into an inviting and exciting place where something new is noticed every day. The joy on students’ faces expressed their thrill as they pointed to each insect, reptile, bird, and primate, along with many other beautiful features inspired by Bioko.

The breezeway's “climate” has changed thanks to the studentsʼ artwork, which may also have had a positive impact on Bioko's endangered species.