Monte Vista School Gym, Monte Vista, CO
PIRATES OF MONTE VISTA
education Project • 2023
PIRATES OF MONTE VISTA
A dynamic gymnasium mural at Monte Vista School featuring the school's pirate mascot in full athletic glory, surrounded by bold graphics and school spirit imagery. The piece transforms the gym into a home court advantage, charging the space with competitive energy.
Gallery
Artist's Note
“School murals shape culture. When students walk into their gym and see their mascot rendered at this scale, it changes how they feel about their school and themselves. The pirate represents adventure, fearlessness, and the willingness to chart your own course.”
— Rachel Dinda
Inspiration
Monte Vista's students and athletes brought contagious energy to every conversation about this project. They wanted a pirate that looked fierce but not frightening — bold enough for a gym but welcoming enough for a school dance.
The Process
Gym walls are high, wide, and demand impact from every seat in the house. I used bold line work and saturated colors that read clearly from across the gym floor. The composition was designed to frame the basketball court, so the pirate seems to be part of the game.
Community Impact
Student athletes say the gym feels different now — more like their space. The school uses photos of the mural for recruitment materials, and visiting teams have started commenting on the intimidation factor of playing in a pirate's den.
Project Details
Location
Monte Vista School Gym, Monte Vista, CO
Year
2023
Size
1,500 sq ft
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