In Strife-Torn World, Hampton Bays Students Choose Unity

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — In a world turn by strife and dissension and rocked by a recent school shooting in Florida — in Hampton Bays, there is unity.

With a 350-square-foot blank hallway wall as their canvas, student-artists at Hampton Bays High School designed and painted a colorful and inspiring "unity mural" that captures the spirit of their school, the district said.

The mural came to fruition as part of a unity mural project created by local artist Joyce Raimondo, who works with students across Long Island to foster positive expression through art.

“With so much tension in our country today, I wanted to create a project that would give young people a creative forum for teamwork and peaceful collaboration,” said Raimondo. “The schools’ mottos come to life with murals by students, for students.”

The Hampton Bays mural project kicked off in mid-February with a brainstorming session, during which Art Club members came up with ideas to best illustrate their school’s mottos, which include “Lifelong Learning” and “Character,” the district said.

Raimondo worked with the students to lay out the mural and begin the painting process, while Art Club adviser and teacher Keegan Bishop helped the students complete the project.

The mural features an image of the Ponquogue Bridge and the ocean.

Photo courtesy of the Hampton Bays School District