Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 2, 1993 TAG: 9306020049
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: JOANNE ANDERSON NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The idea to brighten the school with colorful wall murals originated with Principal Paula Burwell-Robinson. After art teacher Cheryl Butman submitted a few ideas, the two agreed on Disney and book characters.
Sleeping Beauty, a few of the 101 Dalmatians, Cinderella, Pinocchio, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Dumbo, Bambi and others share wall space with characters from "Charlotte's Web," "A Wrinkle in Time," "James and the Giant Peach" and "How to Eat Fried Worms."
"The Disney characters were chosen because they can be effectively outlined and painted with one flat color, as opposed to using many colors to create shadows, skin tones and human details," Butman said.
"The four novels are required reading in the fourth and fifth grades. Some of their characters were selected so all grade levels in the school would have a connection to the hallway."
Most of the drawing was done by Amy Barr, a Radford University student art teacher. The sketches are 4 and 5 feet tall. The murals are up to 14 feet long. The project is 50 percent finished, thanks to the efforts of Barr and several members of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority at Virginia Tech.
However, there is no money to pay Barr to finish the painting, and work is proceeding at a snail's pace as Butman, a Radford University graduate with a degree in fine arts and art education, paints alone mornings, evenings and weekends.
Volunteers are being solicited. The only qualification is the ability to stay inside the lines. Paint, ladders and equipment will be supplied. Butman will guide painters, and painting times can be flexible.
Interested groups or individuals may call Sarah Wall at the school at 382-5172.