Blank Canvas Paints The Cavalier Way

Since its inception in 2015, Blank Canvas has painted hundreds of murals–many in schools. At our core, we are a community engagement company and believe in the power that art has to bring people together for a shared, meaningful experience. Painting at Christ Church Episcopal School was nothing short of special and impactful. 

 

It was apparent that CCES is invested in ensuring that their students' education is enriched by the arts. We were particularly impressed by the Patrick Doughtery project – a large stickwork sculpture constructed in the center of campus. We saw how this project was woven into the school’s culture, invited students to actively participate, and provided an enriching creative experience. And so, we reached out to see if Blank Canvas Mural Company could also be a part of the campus culture. 

 

During our first meeting in early 2022, we learned about the important transition from Lower School to Middle School in the fifth grade. To help with this transition, the fifth grade is contained on its own floor, somewhat separate from the 6th-8th grade classrooms. The faculty thought that a mural in the space connecting the fifth grade with the upper grades would serve as a reminder to students that they were growing and learning and would be ready to join their upperclassmen the next year. We were absolutely enthralled with this idea and honored to be a part of such a pivotal moment.

 

Together, we decided that the mural would represent a beautiful landscape, complete with a “Cavalier Way” sign, which not only represents the ‘bridge’ between the fifth grade and the rest of the Middle School, but is also a means by which faculty calls on its students to exhibit CCES’s core values – Character, Community, Excellence, and Service. The mural brought the outside landscape in, incorporating native plants and birds, as well as the long bridge that winds through CCES’s Wetlands Lab. 

 

Every aspect of working with CCES was fantastic! Our lead artist and owner, Adam Schrimmer, commented that he had never been to the CCES campus before and was not familiar with the school culture. Having attended boarding school in Connecticut, he says, “CCES is such a beautiful institute. It brought back such strong memories of my own experiences–I was immediately reminded of the value there is in providing an ‘almost collegiate setting’ for youth at such a young age. CCES provides such a rich experience for students.”

 

Our favorite part, as always, was working directly with the students. CCES students were eager and excited to work on the mural with Adam, and their enthusiasm exemplified the pride they have in their school community and their own creativity and passion for the arts. “I am always grateful for the opportunity to share my passion for art making with children–in hopes that it might inspire their own passions,” Adam said. “The CCES student body welcomed me with open minds, full hearts, and a true eagerness to connect.”

 

On behalf of the entire team at Blank Canvas, it was a pure joy to work with CCES students, faculty and staff, to bring this mural to life, learn more about their lives and to enable Blank Canvas Mural Company to be a part of the CCES campus and culture for many years to come. We believe that art is more than just something you see–it is a true experience–and working with Christ Church Episcopal School was truly an unforgettable experience.