WSHS - Senior Wall 2024

Jubal Strube

For this year's senior wall project, we are excited to collaborate in recreating Vincent van Gogh’s iconic Starry Night. This masterpiece, known for its swirling skies and vibrant energy, will be brought to life through a combination of painting techniques and personal interpretation, reflecting both the timeless beauty of van Gogh’s work and the unique creativity of our senior class.

Our goal is to use this project as a way to celebrate the passage of time and the connection between the past and present. Starry Night symbolizes vision, creativity, and the beauty found in chaos—qualities that resonate deeply with our experiences throughout high school. By recreating this painting, we aim to create a piece of art that serves as a lasting tribute to our journey and the bonds we’ve formed with one another.

The process will involve collaboration, planning, and a lot of creativity. We will carefully scale the elements of the painting to fit the dimensions of the senior wall, making sure to preserve the essence of Van Gogh's style while also incorporating touches that reflect our individual contributions. This project is more than just a visual recreation; it is a reflection of our collective spirit as a class and our appreciation for the arts.

In the end, our recreation of Starry Night will not only be a stunning visual addition to the school’s senior wall but also a testament to our growth, creativity, and the shared memories that will remain with us long after graduation.

The Inspiration Behind Our Senior Wall – Class of 2025

The artist Keith Haring was the inspiration behind the design for this year’s Senior Wall. Haring’s vibrant, energetic style and bold use of color have always represented more than just art—they represent movement, expression, and unity.

Though his career was short, it was spectacular. From chalk drawings in New York City subway stations to global collaborations with stars of his time, Haring’s work was driven by a belief that art is for everyone. He used his art to speak on social justice, identity, and the power of youth—messages that still resonate today.

At the heart of this mural is a quote from Haring that says:

"Art has no meaning because it has many meanings. Art is different for every individual and is definable only by the given individual."

This quote was chosen because it reflects the journey —The Class of 2025—are about to take. As they graduate, they step into a world where they must define theirselves as individuals. They will make their own decisions, face our own challenges, and bring our own colors and stories to the world. Just like Haring’s art, we are each unique, and together, we form a masterpiece.

One symbol featured in this mural is the "Radiant Baby," a recurring figure in Haring’s work. It represents youthful innocence, energy, and hope—a perfect symbol for the class of 2025 as they take their first steps into the future. Haring once said the baby symbolizes “the purest and most positive experience of human existence,” and that’s what we hope to carry forward: a radiant hope for what’s to come.