Local muralist Sara Gordon, seated at right center with art teacher Laurie Ronshak, meets with art students at Southern Local High School to discuss design ideas for a new mural project. Students raised $7,000 to create a colorful rendering outside the art room through sales and craft events and hope to have the work completed in June. (Submitted photo)

SALINEVILLE — Southern Local High School will be getting a bit more colorful as plans get underway to add a new mural in the building.

Art teacher Laurie Ronshak said her students have been raising money to finance the project, which will be done by local muralist Sara Gordon. Gordon, of Rogers, has been meeting with the group to discuss design ideas and work should begin later this spring.

“We are talking designs and it’s just the beginning of the process to start the mural in the hallway,” Ronshak said. “The students wanted the hallway to be brightened. We wanted it to be colorful with the design.”

Fundraising efforts began last year and have included T-shirt, candy and flower bulb sales and craft night events, and the moneymakers have raised around $7,000 to pay for the project. Students shared ideas and sketches with Gordon, who was planning to return with a draft of the concept.

The rendering will extend outside the art room and include art materials such as paintbrushes, plus it will denote line, shape, color and textures. Ronshak said students will also have a hand in painting the mural.

“I’d like to kick it off with the Art Club members maybe helping to draw the mural on the walls and students will help paint it,” she commented.

Select students from each art class will share their time and talent and assist Gordon with creating the artwork, and they can take pride in beautifying the building and leaving their mark for future generations to see.

Ronshak said the design will go before the Southern Local Board of Education for approval at an upcoming meeting. Hopes are to begin the mural in May and complete work in June.