North Vancouver School District
the natural place to learn©
Jul 22
Collaborative crosswalk murals at Ridgeway Elementary

By NVSD Communications

In the final days of classes this June, students in grades 5-7 at Ridgeway Elementary School worked with local artists from Phil Phil Studio to make their mark by painting two crosswalk murals along 9th Street between Ridgeway Avenue and Moody Avenue.

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The City of North Vancouver collaborated with Ridgeway Elementary and Phil Phil Studio to improve pedestrian safety around the school. Curb bulges were expanded at intersections, helping slow down traffic and allowing for a safer crossing distance for students and families. Adding paint and colour around the crosswalks was intended to make for a more joyful and fun walking experience.

To determine the murals' design, students were asked to fill in a collaborative worksheet after exploring and describing the space surrounding the school. What patterns, colours, and sights could they see? Whom do they share the space with? Who lives in the community and neighbourhood?

The final design was built from students' responses and highlights ideas around pride, community, connection, history, inclusion and learning.

When walking around the crosswalks, you will see some familiar shapes and symbols, including the school's raven mascot, bookshelves, foliage and flowers, ocean waves, mountain landscape, energetic abstract shapes and more.

"Students and teachers at Ridgeway brought so much enthusiasm, skill, and love to the project," said Erica from Phil Phil Studio, as she reflected on the experience. "It was wonderful to see how excited the kids were to participate — some even asked to stay through their recess to keep painting. The community surrounding the school cheered the students on while they were working, and have expressed how happy they are to see artwork created by the students in the space. It was an honour working on this project with the Ridgeway Community and the City of North Vancouver."

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