“Earth Science” mural series by Dustin Hunt w/ Impression 5 students // Summer 2022

200 Museum Drive // Lansing, Michigan

Approximately 25’ W X 11’ H each // acrylic paint

Muralmatics was honored to partner with Impression 5 Science Center in the Summer of 2022. Impression 5 has provided rich, immersive, sensory programming to Lansing area learners and families for fifty years. This project's aim was to create murals that liven up public entrances while embedding earth science concepts in the final designs. Middle and high school students were guided through movement exercises, brainstorming and sketching sessions, painting tutorials and daily reflections in the process of painting this mural. The final design includes a canyon wall, a water wall, and a forest wall. The canyon wall was inspired by images of slot canyons found on the lands of the Navajo Nation, and Paiute, Hopi, and Ute Tribes.  The Navajo Nation refers to this canyon as Tsé bighánílíní, which means “the place where water runs through the rocks''. These canyons are also known as the Upper Antelope Canyon. Notice the blue bands of color in the mural? What do you suppose those represent? The water wall was inspired by Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, found on the lands of the Sioux Tribe  and Anishinabek Nation. Recognize any regional wildlife? The forest wall features a prominent catalpa tree found just outside the doors of Impression 5? Can you spot a catalpa tree on the Rivertrail?

We want to recognize the time and energy students dedicated to this project. For two weeks they showed up ready to help, ready to learn, and ready to paint. They color washed the wall,  researched, stretched, shared, reflected, and painted walls. 

We want to recognize our teaching assistant, Liv Furman, for bringing a steady, intentional energy to the walls each and every day. Students followed along as Liv led daily movement exercises and reflection prompts while assisting in all aspects of the project. 

Every mural takes many hands to complete. To all the hands involved in this project, thank you.

Special thanks to McShane Photography for the photos.