Superstition Spring Elementary has unveiled a new self-portrait mural that includes contributions from every student and staff member at the school. The project, led by art teacher Betsy Baker, began at the start of the school year and was designed to showcase the creativity of the entire campus community.
The mural stretches over 20 feet and is made up of small square portraits created from paint chips. When viewed from afar, it resembles a tapestry with colors transitioning smoothly from reds to purples. Each square contains a hand-drawn portrait where students included personal details reflecting their goals or hopes for the year.
Mrs. Baker introduced students to well-known self-portraits and taught basic drawing skills before they selected paint chips in their favorite colors. Students then outlined their portraits in ink, added symbolic elements, and wrote reflections about their aspirations for the year. Staff members also participated so that students could see familiar faces within the mural.
A volunteer from Highland High assisted in sorting more than 900 paint chips by color and brightness before mounting them on large panels. These panels were installed together to create the final piece, which is framed in gold—a design inspired by a frame seen on the television show Friends.
After installation, students gathered around to find their own portraits among those of their peers and teachers. “The crowd around it lasted for days,” Mrs. Baker said. “It was wonderful to see students engage with something they helped build.”
Mrs. Baker noted that projects like this highlight Superstition Springs Elementary’s focus on connection and belonging: “We’re grateful for the support that allows us to offer full-time art,” she said. “Collaborative pieces like this remind students they are part of something bigger, and that their contribution matters.”
Information about art education throughout Gilbert Public Schools can be found at https://www.gilbertschools.net/Student-Life/Art-Education.
