Thanks to funding support by the Western Lane Community Foundation and additional support from the Florence Elks Club and Driftwood Shores, Lane Arts Council was able to bring muralist and teaching artist Jessilyn Brinkerhoff to Siuslaw Middle School to add a large scale mural to a previously empty gymnasium wall and a student-painted mural in the entry hallway leading to the gymnasium.

The design for these murals were created through a community feedback process involving students, staff, parents, and community member including Siuslaw Tribal members. What resulted was a beautiful depiction of the local community, land, and history.

Included in the gymnasium mural are the Oregon Dunes, the Siuslaw River, traditional Siuslaw canoes, and local flora. On the right of the mural it reads, “Chi Taiyuu”, a Sha’yuushtl’a phrase that translates to “Water is life.” All this utilizing the school colors of yellow and blue to create a sense of pride and place.

The hallway mural depicts students in a variety of engaging activities from playing basketball to making art to learning. This mural utilizes the same colors as the gymnasium mural to connect the two works of art and remind viewers of who these murals and this building are truly for: the students.

Thank you to our funders, the great partners at Siuslaw School District, and teaching artist Jessilyn Brinkerhoff for helping bring these works of art to life!

Way to go Jessilyn and everyone involved with making this beautiful mural a reality!