Creating art requires a unique and innate set of skills, as does the ability to understand how best to utilize technology. At Stratford High School, students in the art club are cultivating their talents. Murals are being painted at the school with the help of alumni and virtual reality (VR) headsets.
School students are working with the artists while taking advantage of the latest technological advancements. This new effort is graffiti art and involves spray paint.
That is why two graduates from the school, who are well known around Goose Creek for their graffiti skills, are there to help.
“Everybody is nervous using spray paint. I think they are going to be amazing,” said 2001 Stratford High School graduate and graffiti artist Tina Ballantine. “We did some demos beforehand and went over everything with them. I think they are going to knock it out of the park.”
The new graffiti-type design is being painted with spray paint inside the school, in the foyer, and on the main entrance of the high school. The pressure is on for students, but one thing will help: the Meta Quest headset.
“Actually being able to visualize the art in front of me and get an idea of what I’m drawing on and help reference it was extremely helpful,” said Antonio Marino, a sophomore at Stratford, who mentioned the work’s legacy once he moves on. “It means a lot, it resembles something that I’ve made an impact on this school, and I have done something for the greater good and impacted some students that may come here.”
The premade template displayed through the headset instructs users to echo the school mantra, “Once a Knight, Always a Knight.”
“I think we’re trying to give kids the opportunities to be involved in their school, their home and leave a legacy,” said Heather Hill, an art teacher at Stratford High School.
