A new colourful, multi-media mural now adorns the wall at East Bayfield Recreation Centre, the handiwork of 12 talented Grade 10 students from Barrie North Collegiate.
It's more than just a beautiful piece of art.
"The idea was to inspire some students who had really given up on school to shine with the skills they have," said Mar Lewis, owner of Art in the House.
"We sat around on the floor and we talked about ideas and how we were going to do this. this project has helped these students realize what their gifts are and to be more engaged in school."
The 20-foot long piece is entitled "A Place to Call Home."
With help from sisters Mar and Tosh Lewis at Art in House, students in the integrated literacy and arts course spent about a month creating the mural. They started with dozens of maps of Barrie, crumpled and ripped paper and created something representing their individual journeys in life.
Each girl added a bright pathway to represent their life journeys.
An unveiling ceremony was held on Thursday, in the hallway leading to the swimming pool change rooms, where the piece will be permanently displayed.
It was a dream come true for the young artists.
When the girls had completed it, after working together for about a month, they wanted to donate it to the community The East Bayfield Community Centre and the City of Barrie jumped at the chance to acquire the original artwork
