Art on Main Returns for 2023-24 School Year

The Art on Main program features artwork from students from the four Batesville schools on a rotating basis.

Jorja Cleghorn celebrates the installation of her artwork on Main Street in Batesville with her current and former classroom teachers and BCEF. Left to right: Jorja’s kindergarten teacher Becky Rauch, Cleghorn, first grade teacher Becky Brown, second grade teacher Lisa Kreuzman, and Ryan Holcomb from BCEF. Photo provided.

(Batesville, Ind.) - With a 2023-24 theme of “Education Everywhere,” the Batesville Community Education Foundation’s (BCEF) mural project in downtown Batesville has newly installed artwork for the public to view. Featuring Batesville Primary School (BPS) first, the foundation’s program provides four new large murals each school year on the side of the Simons Company building on Main Street, showcasing the artistic talents of Batesville Community School Corporation (BCSC) students for all of Batesville to enjoy.

“Our fourth season of Art on Main begins with featured artwork by second grader Jorja Cleghorn,” explained BCEF Art on Main chair and board member Ryan Holcomb. “BCEF provided the opportunity for every BPS student to submit artwork that showed their understanding that learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom or in a certain way. Learning involves always being curious and open to new opportunities.”

Nearly 140 BPS students submitted artwork for consideration and a committee of BCEF board members and Jimmy Rowland from Rowland Graphics reviewed the entries. Cleghorn’s piece was chosen for its colorful, eye-catching design and reflection of this year’s theme. Artwork was selected via a blind review process, with committee members not knowing the names of the students whose artwork they were evaluating to ensure a fair process for all BPS students involved.

Cleghorn’s art reflects her gratitude that listening to music helps her learn. Featured in the piece are various instruments and musical notes floating above a smiling student.

“I drew this picture because, at one time, I had trouble learning the alphabet,” the second grader said. “But when I played the ‘ABC Song,’ I could remember it. Now I know that music helps me to learn.”

“What we love about this year’s Art on Main theme is how it ties into BCEF’s plans to build a unique, multi-space outdoor learning complex at BPS,” added Anne Wilson, BCEF executive director. “Learning doesn’t always have to take place inside or via the same process for everyone, and studies show that students can benefit from more time outdoors, providing both mental health and academic benefits. Just as BCSC is embarking on its transformational community-connected educational approach to allow students more flexibility, our outdoor BPS space will complement that.”

The Art on Main program features artwork from students from the four Batesville Community School Corporation (BCSC) buildings on a rotating basis. BCEF would like to thank Jimmy Rowland from Rowland Graphics, who donates his time to install every mural and Nick Maple, owner of the building, who provides the use of his location for the display. The BPS mural will be on display until sometime in December, when artwork from the Batesville Intermediate School (BIS) will be installed. For more information about Art on Main or the planned BCEF outdoor learning complex at BPS, contact Wilson at awilson@batesville.k12.in.us.