Chelsea Preparatory Academy: Your Mind is a Garden

Four classes totaling approximately 100 fourth and fifth grade students collaborated with artist May Bukowski to design and paint, “Your Mind is a Garden” at Chelsea Preparatory Academy this spring.

The mural explores themes of community and inclusivity based on the school’s vision of nurturing individual identities, academic and personal growth while fostering a sense of belonging. Many of the students drew inspiration from the school’s garden where the mural would be painted, specifically how it is comprised of many different kinds of plants, herbs, and flowers. Others mentioned reading together and working together to fix and care for the garden. They also emphasized the need for peace in this world, represented by the globe with two interlocking hands above it. Several students highlighted the need for self growth, depicted by a person watering themselves.  Finally, the mural’s featured quote reads, “ Your mind is a garden. Your thoughts are the seeds,” and is attributed to William Wordsworth.

This was a wonderful experience with students whose legacy will only grow as they continue to grow.