Murrieta Students Attempt 'World's Largest Art Lesson'

By Karen Parris, Murrieta Valley Unified School District

attempted to set a Guinness World Record™ for the World’s Largest Art Lesson in a single venue on March 9. The activities kicked off with performances by the school’s choir, dance team and band. 

Lisa J. Mails Art teacher Mary Eskridge lead the abstract art lesson and 1,103 students, parents, grandparents and community members created their own unique abstract art on a 12 x 18 piece of drawing paper using crayons.

The art lesson lasted 30 minutes as dozens of volunteer supervisors verified that the participants were engaged in the lesson.   

The current record was set in September 2011 by 879 participants at a school in London. Just over 1,000 students attend Lisa J. Mails Elementary, a visual and performing arts-emphasis school.   

Lisa J. Mails Elementary PTA President Gina Ross and Clara Wallace, PTA Art Chair organized the event. 

Ross said, “Who better than an arts-focused school to break the world record and raise awareness of the value of arts education in our schools.”  

ASB President Zachary Rodriguez told the crowd, "This is a day we can work together to make history." 

After the lesson, Zachary said, "It was a good experience for our school because we are an arts school. The lesson was amazing - to teach all those kids at one time was amazing."