A student just spent a week staying after school and working on painting a mural on the first floor of MCHS. They worked with their friends and by the end of the week, they were done. Every time they walked into school, they would see their art and get a sense of pride for their hard work. After a couple years, the student walks into school and sees their artwork covered up by tv’s and black boards. They stand in shock for a moment, confused as to why they weren’t told about it.

Students don’t deserve to have their murals covered up.

Around the time of Homecoming, one out of the 14 student-painted murals were covered with TVs and black boards. This caused many teachers and students in the art department to be confused and upset.

Even those created by local artists and not students deserve to remain on the walls. Murals are a gift for the school and a chance for the students to give to the school through their own way of expression, that should be treasured not painted over and covered up.

“I was surprised when I saw that they were covered over without any notification,” said art teacher Barbara Drufke, “and a little disappointed.”

When a mural is covered without notice, it confuses people. It loses its value and recognition because it covers up students’ hard work. They feel disrespected for the lack of communication and reasoning for covering it up.

School murals help to keep a brighter environment in school, keeping it fun and lively. This can help students’ moods by making them determined and calm.

“The psychological effects of color play a significant role in shaping preferences and color choices,” according to MasterClass. “Marketers, interior designers and artists use color associations to create a distinct mood.”

Though murals should have the right to stay as they are, there are certain exceptions. If there is a mural that is also used as a sign for something or the place is being changed, then that’s a good time to either cover up or change the murals. But if murals are going to be covered with blank things or covered up for what seems to be no reason, like in this case, then they should be left the way they are out of respect and appreciation.

The school murals are wonderful works of art made by very artistic students, they should be appreciated, not covered up.