Our Stories

Each year, MILTON’s graduating class creates an enduring art installation to be displayed at school. You can find past examples of this project in the mosaic lining the Middle School Commons seating area or the large paintings in its back corner. When walking from the second to third floor on North Campus, you can also find a three dimensional time capsule illustrating projects that students found meaningful during their time at school.

This year, the class of 2025 partnered with local artist Hillel Smith, who specializes in murals and bold, eye-catching art, to create a three-dimensional mural representing the Jewish holiday cycle entitled “Seasons of Celebration.” The students used a geometric aesthetic for their designs, inspired by Israeli posters of the 1960s and 70s.

Hillel began working with the students in the fall, when they split into groups and were tasked with identifying key symbols for their assigned holidays—like a shofar and apple for Rosh Hashanah, a mask for Purim, or an umbrella for Sigd, reflecting a traditional practice of carrying umbrellas on this Ethiopian Jewish holiday. They collaborated with Hillel and one another to agree on the symbols and sketch designs representing each. 

Students were challenged to create designs that layered shapes and objects to add dimensionality and meaning to the piece. The group assigned to Lag BaOmer, for example, used a complex layered pattern of triangles to create the image of a bonfire. Some also incorporated their designs into the names of their holidays, such as letters sprouting trees for Tu Bishvat, or a sukkah built over letters for Sukkot.

Students then used the software CoralDraw, which they had been learning since Grade 6, to create a digital design. They sent their files to STEM Department Chair Elana Cohen to print on the laser cutter.

In their final sessions, the eighth graders painted their printed shapes and then attached them to a large blue backdrop, which two students were tasked with painting with rollers. They completed the mural just a few days before their trip to Israel, during which it was mounted in the hallway leading to the North Campus playground. The artists reasoned that the bright colors and celebratory tone of the mural would match the energetic atmosphere of the playground—and our students have loved passing by it while walking down the hall!

Eighth graders arrived back from Israel to the surprise of their artwork already hung up at school, and at the start of the day, they excitedly pointed out their sections on display. This was an excellent culmination of the students’ creative thinking, digital design expertise, problem solving and collaboration skills, and Judaic Studies education.

Hillel Smith and Elana Cohen pose with the finished mural.