Students recreate floodwall mural

The mural on the Cape Girardeau floodwall has been lauded as a great illustration of the river city's past.

Central Junior High School art teacher Dennis Wilson has taken a different look at the mural, seeing it as a gateway to the future and a way to foster the talent of young artists.

Starting last fall, his eighth-grade students began work on recreating the mural, one square at a time.

"What the floodwall mural does for revitalizing the downtown and Cape Girardeau history," Wilson said at the project's public unveiling Thursday night, "this does for the individuality of each student and the future of Cape Girardeau, which is what the students are."

More than 60 students worked on the project. Each one was assigned to do at least one square of the wall. The result, though, was far different than the original mural, and with good reason.

"The idea was that many parts would come together to conceive a whole," said Wilson. "I gave them free range on each square to do what they wanted. On some of them, they even completely reversed the color."

The finished product looks something like the floodwall mural, though each square bears the imprint of its creator. Some panels feature strange colors, like pink on a stone archway, creating a patchwork effect that comes close to cubism in places. But that's the idea.

'Making a statement'

"It's not about replicating the murals," said Wilson. "It's about making a statement. It's okay if it doesn't line up."

When the project started, Wilson brought in Thomas Melvin, one of the artists who worked on the mural, to speak to the class about the city's history and the importance of art. Seeing the artist really got the students motivated, he said.

One of those students is Devone Greer. Once Devone met his requirement of one square, he decided to do three more of his own volition.

"I thought it was interesting that I got to do something I've seen before," said Devone. He tried to make his squares look as close to the real thing as possible, but used different media, mixing chalk and colored pencils.

Devone's mother, Connie Greer, loved the students' mural.

"I think it's really great," she said. "Each one is individual, but it all comes together as one. Doing this helps them to appreciate what they do together."

Assistant principal Brenda McCowan is excited about the chance the project gives for students to show their abilities.

"We take real pride in this project," said McCowan. "It helped kids get excited about art. The true talent of our students has been unveiled."

msanders@semissourian.com

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