A former principal — and Olympic weightlifter — is mourning the death of a mural that graced the walls of a Burin school gym for more than 25 years. Bert Squires, then-principal of Donald C. Jamieson Academy, says the school’s gymnasium was painted an institutional gray, which looked “absolutely terrible.” He commissioned art teacher Rod Beck to paint several murals, one of which depicted two ancient Greek Olympians. “The gym looked absolutely fantastic,” Squires told CBC News. “The gym was transformed from a dungeon to an incredible place to come and the kids absolutely loved it. It was the ‘wow’ effect.” The other murals included a jungle scene and a jaguar, the school’s mascot. Squires said the mural involved a “tremendous” amount of work, and Beck often stayed at the school, painting late into the night. “It was a love of art and a love of school,” he said. Squires, a weightlifter, came fifth in the 1984 Olympics, sparking the idea for an Olympic-themed mural. The fresco, which depicted two ancient Greek Olympians, has been painted over. (Rod F. Beck/Twitter) Beck painted two giant, muscular Olympians, both dressed in a loincloth, one throwing a javelin and the other holding a discus. “I know the number of people who are deeply upset by this and offended by this is growing by the day,” Squires said. Both Beck and the school’s current principal declined an interview request.
Mural removed due to visibility: NLESD
In a statement, the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District said the walls were painted white because “light-colored walls are preferred in the gym as they allow for greater visibility of balls and equipment during practice and play.” Squires, who has a grandchild who attends the school, called the reasoning “ridiculous”. “I’m sure the person in second grade who plays volleyball or whatever has zero problem seeing the balls. That statement borders on the ridiculous,” he said. The district has not held any public consultation on the change, but said it is advising faculty and the school board. “As the building owners, the district and in turn the schools, can update and refresh the colors and artwork as needed or as the school community evolves and changes.” Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador
title: “For This Former Olympian Covering A Mural In A Burin School Gym Is Like A Greek Tragedy Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-06” author: “Andrew Reitz”
A former principal — and Olympic weightlifter — is mourning the death of a mural that graced the walls of a Burin school gym for more than 25 years. Bert Squires, then-principal of Donald C. Jamieson Academy, says the school’s gymnasium was painted an institutional gray, which looked “absolutely terrible.” He commissioned art teacher Rod Beck to paint several murals, one of which depicted two ancient Greek Olympians. “The gym looked absolutely fantastic,” Squires told CBC News. “The gym was transformed from a dungeon to an incredible place to come and the kids absolutely loved it. It was the ‘wow’ effect.” The other murals included a jungle scene and a jaguar, the school’s mascot. Squires said the mural involved a “tremendous” amount of work, and Beck often stayed at the school, painting late into the night. “It was a love of art and a love of school,” he said. Squires, a weightlifter, came fifth in the 1984 Olympics, sparking the idea for an Olympic-themed mural. The fresco, which depicted two ancient Greek Olympians, has been painted over. (Rod F. Beck/Twitter) Beck painted two giant, muscular Olympians, both dressed in a loincloth, one throwing a javelin and the other holding a discus. “I know the number of people who are deeply upset by this and offended by this is growing by the day,” Squires said. Both Beck and the school’s current principal declined an interview request.
Mural removed due to visibility: NLESD
In a statement, the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District said the walls were painted white because “light-colored walls are preferred in the gym as they allow for greater visibility of balls and equipment during practice and play.” Squires, who has a grandchild who attends the school, called the reasoning “ridiculous”. “I’m sure the person in second grade who plays volleyball or whatever has zero problem seeing the balls. That statement borders on the ridiculous,” he said. The district has not held any public consultation on the change, but said it is advising faculty and the school board. “As the building owners, the district and in turn the schools, can update and refresh the colors and artwork as needed or as the school community evolves and changes.” Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador
title: “For This Former Olympian Covering A Mural In A Burin School Gym Is Like A Greek Tragedy Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-27” author: “Isabel Peters”
A former principal — and Olympic weightlifter — is mourning the death of a mural that graced the walls of a Burin school gym for more than 25 years. Bert Squires, then-principal of Donald C. Jamieson Academy, says the school’s gymnasium was painted an institutional gray, which looked “absolutely terrible.” He commissioned art teacher Rod Beck to paint several murals, one of which depicted two ancient Greek Olympians. “The gym looked absolutely fantastic,” Squires told CBC News. “The gym was transformed from a dungeon to an incredible place to come and the kids absolutely loved it. It was the ‘wow’ effect.” The other murals included a jungle scene and a jaguar, the school’s mascot. Squires said the mural involved a “tremendous” amount of work, and Beck often stayed at the school, painting late into the night. “It was a love of art and a love of school,” he said. Squires, a weightlifter, came fifth in the 1984 Olympics, sparking the idea for an Olympic-themed mural. The fresco, which depicted two ancient Greek Olympians, has been painted over. (Rod F. Beck/Twitter) Beck painted two giant, muscular Olympians, both dressed in a loincloth, one throwing a javelin and the other holding a discus. “I know the number of people who are deeply upset by this and offended by this is growing by the day,” Squires said. Both Beck and the school’s current principal declined an interview request.
Mural removed due to visibility: NLESD
In a statement, the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District said the walls were painted white because “light-colored walls are preferred in the gym as they allow for greater visibility of balls and equipment during practice and play.” Squires, who has a grandchild who attends the school, called the reasoning “ridiculous”. “I’m sure the person in second grade who plays volleyball or whatever has zero problem seeing the balls. That statement borders on the ridiculous,” he said. The district has not held any public consultation on the change, but said it is advising faculty and the school board. “As the building owners, the district and in turn the schools, can update and refresh the colors and artwork as needed or as the school community evolves and changes.” Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador
title: “For This Former Olympian Covering A Mural In A Burin School Gym Is Like A Greek Tragedy Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-08” author: “Cindy Brothers”
A former principal — and Olympic weightlifter — is mourning the death of a mural that graced the walls of a Burin school gym for more than 25 years. Bert Squires, then-principal of Donald C. Jamieson Academy, says the school’s gymnasium was painted an institutional gray, which looked “absolutely terrible.” He commissioned art teacher Rod Beck to paint several murals, one of which depicted two ancient Greek Olympians. “The gym looked absolutely fantastic,” Squires told CBC News. “The gym was transformed from a dungeon to an incredible place to come and the kids absolutely loved it. It was the ‘wow’ effect.” The other murals included a jungle scene and a jaguar, the school’s mascot. Squires said the mural involved a “tremendous” amount of work, and Beck often stayed at the school, painting late into the night. “It was a love of art and a love of school,” he said. Squires, a weightlifter, came fifth in the 1984 Olympics, sparking the idea for an Olympic-themed mural. The fresco, which depicted two ancient Greek Olympians, has been painted over. (Rod F. Beck/Twitter) Beck painted two giant, muscular Olympians, both dressed in a loincloth, one throwing a javelin and the other holding a discus. “I know the number of people who are deeply upset by this and offended by this is growing by the day,” Squires said. Both Beck and the school’s current principal declined an interview request.
Mural removed due to visibility: NLESD
In a statement, the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District said the walls were painted white because “light-colored walls are preferred in the gym as they allow for greater visibility of balls and equipment during practice and play.” Squires, who has a grandchild who attends the school, called the reasoning “ridiculous”. “I’m sure the person in second grade who plays volleyball or whatever has zero problem seeing the balls. That statement borders on the ridiculous,” he said. The district has not held any public consultation on the change, but said it is advising faculty and the school board. “As the building owners, the district and in turn the schools, can update and refresh the colors and artwork as needed or as the school community evolves and changes.” Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador
