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A Splash of Color COD Art Students Transform Pool Walls at Aurora YWCA

Posted on: Friday, 25 February 2005, 21:00 CST

Generally speaking, an octopus isn't welcome at a public pool.

And don't even think about inviting the jellyfish.

They're not considered good for business - unless, of course, they're hanging out with clown fish, dolphins, squid and schools of swirling silver chubs.

One glance at the walls surrounding the Aurora YWCA and it's clear a whole new family of fishy friends has moved into town. Huge, expansive, detailed aquatic murals now take the place of what previously were vast expanses of plain paint.

"We have a phenomenal seascape on those walls," aquatic center director Dee Hakala said.

The transformation comes courtesy of a group of determined College of DuPage students enrolled in a mural painting class through the Glen Ellyn school.

Hakala knew the Aurora YWCA pool needed some sprucing up, but with a meager budget - OK, no budget - her options were limited. She invited a professional muralist to give her a quote and learned it would cost more than $3,500 for a single, small image.

That ruled out that option.

Then someone remembered hearing about COD classes that recently painted a mural in downtown Glen Ellyn and in Villa Park along the Great Western Trail, and they suggested Hakala give the school a call.

Enter Carla Carr.

The part-time professor usually teaches art appreciation classes, though professionally she's a muralist.

Last fall she was recruited to teach this particular class, and when Hakala contacted her, the two knew they'd make a good team.

"I'd actually gone scouting for a way to enhance the environment of the pool. It was in bad shape every which way," Hakala said. "Maybe it's not a brand new building, but so what?"

Carr's students began by finding aquatic creatures they liked. The class created drawings on paper the same size as the images planned for the pool mural.

Then students punched small holes in the paper along the border of the design and hung the sheets on the aquatic center walls. Using powdered chalk, they traced the holes, creating an outline to start painting from.

Between 10 and 12 students worked on the project two days a week, but as the dedication date approached they began painting virtually around the clock.

Aside from the actual art and painting lessons, students got to interact with YWCA patrons and staff members, as well.

"It was a great experience for the kids," Carr said. "That's not something they usually learn in an actual class - working with the community."

When the group finished, the three available walls were covered with designs. The fourth wall, which is glass, helps lift the project to a whole new level.

In the morning, the sun reflects off the pool's waves and onto the paintings, giving them a life-like feel. As the sun moves across the sky, the reflections move, eventually hitting all three walls, said Lisa Kang of Aurora, a student in the class.

That's quite an impressive project for a woman who started with no budget.

Carr said her professional murals similar in scope to this project range in cost from between $10,000 and $30,000, but because the school took on the task it was less.

Hakala spent $300 on supplies and threw the students "one heck of a pool party" when it was over.

Source: Daily Herald; Arlington Heights, Ill.

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