Cambrian College art students create mural for Lasalle Secondary School – May 19

SUDBURY, ON – Like a good neighbour, students and faculty in the Design and Visual Arts
program at Cambrian College have transformed the foyer of Lasalle Secondary School next
door with a colourful mural that was unveiled today.

Monarch butterflies, with their vibrant shades of orange and black, proved to be the ideal visual
element. As the butterflies break through glass and become larger, they tell a powerful story of
growth, resilience and potential. The butterflies are not static or linear; they are in full flight,
continuous change captured in the movement and the momentum.

“The monarch butterfly is a perfect symbol for our school and our students,” says Lasalle
Secondary School Principal Kristina Rivard Gobbo. “The butterfly’s metamorphosis is a powerful
representation of transformation. As students progress on their journey towards graduation, they
spread their wings, soar to higher heights, and evolve into their fullest self.”

She adds: “Orange and black are Lasalle’s colours and that alone speaks of school spirit.”

The smaller butterflies on the left of the mural represent Grade 7 and 8 students. At this stage,
they are still finding their voice in their new secondary school environment.
With perseverance over time, students move beyond their comfort zones and gain more
competence and confidence. The glass radiating outwards represents breakthroughs in
personal growth.

The butterflies become more prominent and more defined as they grow in scale and number.

The larger butterflies on the right represent Grade 12 students ready to migrate to their next
destination – college, university, apprenticeship, work or independent living.

“This mural is a wonderful legacy to the school and the community, reflecting the power of
partnerships and public art,” said David Farrow, Chair of the Rainbow District School Board.
“This mural adds to the overall aesthetic of the school, invites us to remain curious and use our
imaginations to see things in new ways, creates a warmer and even more welcoming space,
promotes school and community pride, and serves as a source of inspiration for students each
and every day.”

The mural was created by a team of six students and one faculty member from Cambrian’s
Design and Visual Arts program – students Eli Blaauw, Harlequinn Carpentier, Samantha Carriere,
Katie Hardwick, Isabell Hacock and Violet Landrie and professor Johanna Westby.

The mural is composed of 10 panels, covering a total of 26 square metres. It took approximately
150 hours to complete.

“I found it so exciting to work on something of this scale for the first time, and to see my idea
come to life with the help of my teachers and peers,” says student Eli Blaauw. “I’m so lucky to
have our work displayed where so many people will see it every day. I hope to encourage
students to think creatively, or at the very least brighten their day.”

“This mural represents the transition of youth through their journey into the world,” says
professor Johanna Westby, faculty in the Design and Visual Arts program at Cambrian College.
“The monarch butterflies, as they travel across the canvas through space and time, develop
tremendous scale and visual importance. They are a symbolic interpretation of how youth grow
into their place in society.”

She adds: “We are so pleased to collaborate with partners in the community annually to create
these murals. These murals provide a fantastic opportunity for Cambrian’s students and faculty
to create a large-scale project in which they can take pride, and which can be enjoyed by the
community for years to come.”

This year’s mural is the latest to be installed at a school within the Rainbow District School
Board. Other murals can be found at Northeastern Elementary School, Lockerby Composite
School, and Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School.