Several Rapoport Academy high schoolers participated in Creative Waco’s summer ARTPrenticeship program and recently wrapped up two large murals in downtown Waco.

In addition to the murals, the students had the opportunity to create other art pieces and a film as a part of the program and these will be on display at a special ARTPrenticeship Exhibition on Friday, Aug. 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. at 507 Gallery/Thrst Coffee Shop located at 1500 Colcord Ave. (more event details)

Congratulations to Montanah Deleon, Ainsley Guy, Avianna Harris, Emma Serrano, and Lucy Ward for representing Rapoport Academy and showing our core value of CREATIVITY.

The murals, painted on different sides of the soon-to-be-opened Hotel Herringbone on 4th Street, depict two very different art styles and subjects. At 4th and Jackson, passersby can see two large portraits featuring two of the ARTPrenticeship students including Rapoport graduate Ainsley Guy. The portraits were created with professional muralist Kamea Hadar who flew into Waco to paint the larger-than-life images.

On the 4th Street and Mary Ave. side, is a mural depicting flowers and grasses from the Blackland Prairie which is full of endangered flora and fauna like mallow poppies and native grasses.

ARTPrenticeship Program Director Stefanie Wheat-Johnson said the two murals work well in tandem and represent different aspects of Waco's past and future.

"The Mallow Poppy mural concept was to reflect the history and heritage of Waco and the blackland prairie of Central Texas," she said. "The mural symbolizes both the enduring beauty and fragility of life. It balances with our beautiful portraits of our apprentices on the other side, who reflect the future of Waco and the spirit of collaboration between a diverse array of members in our community."

The ARTPrenticeship program is a paid internship that runs for 8 weeks in the summer. Students are paired with local artist mentors and explore many aspects of the art industry. It culminates with a 4-5 week mural project. This is the program's fifth year. More info is available here: ARTPrenticeship/