Langley school mural combines thousands of student faces

After two years of planning and 17,500 pictures of students and staff from Langley Fine Arts School (LFAS), a group of student photographers have completed a 23-metre mosaic mural.

The mural combines those thousands of faces into a representation of Langley's Blaauw Eco Forest.

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Former photography student and one of the project leaders, Desiree Chek-Harder says the mosaic was inspired by a French graffiti artist, JR, who works with portraits to challenge local issues.  

"We want people to look at this and be reminded how as a community we need to really take care of our world and our environment, and each other," said student and project leader Danielle Campani. 

Campani says they decided on three themes, including nature, community, and mental health. 

To combine those themes, students focussed on the Blaauw Forest, which was saved from demolition in 2013 thanks in part to students at LFAS who helped educate the community about the issue. 

The student group behind the project recreated a panoramic image of the forest with photos of each student, teacher, and staff member of the school community portraying a variety of facial expressions and moods to stress the theme of mental health. 

"I really hope people feel the sense of community and the connection, especially all the students, staff and faculty members who were a part of this, who all came together with us to create this and support us in the project," said Chek-Harder. "It's really an amazing legacy to leave behind for our school."

The mural will be on display at the back of the school, near the theatre. Langley Fine Arts School has students from grades 1 to 12.

With files from On the Coast