New mural being painted in Lanesborough

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — A mural is being painted under the Berkshire Mall Road overpass by Kristen Tool and Stef Quetti. 

The imagery in the mural is comprised of favorite memories Lanesborough Elementary School sixth-grade students have of their town.

“I think this kind of art is really important for the public to see what’s going on in their community,” said Tool. “I think it really empowers the students to be able to see something they created drawn on a big scale here that’s going to be a lasting piece of art having a positive impact on their community.”

Tool started this project last year, trying to combat the graffiti issue under the overpass and thought of a mural that the elementary school students could be creative with. She applied for and won two grants from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and the Mass Cultural Council to help pay for the project.

Tool approached Lanesborough’s art teacher, David Solak, who worked with the kids throughout the year.

“It’s tough nowadays to find something that really empowers students in a way that’s meaningful to them and I feel that this project really accomplished that,” said Solak.

Students got to work drawing their favorite places and things they like to do. One of the students drew Lanesborough Elementary because it’s one of his favorite places to be.

“This school is a really good school where you can put your kids, you see nice teachers, really good friends and the teacher will be so helpful for you every time,” said sixth-grader Alvin Larios.

At the end of the year, the sixth-graders have to make a class gift for their school to remember them by. The students chose to redraw the art they did for the mural to commemorate the rare opportunity they were given this year for classes after them to see.

“It will remind me of 2024 and 2023 class when we were still here it’s our last year here at Lanesborough so,” Mason Smith said, “and all of our amazing teachers,” said Ella Costa, “and friends and everything else,” Smith ended with.