This participatory mural, located in the front lobby of the school building, was created to represent the international focus of the school. All 505 students, ranging from Kindergarten to grade 5, were given the opportunity to add to the mural and work directly with the artist. Chitra started by painting the base, then each student was allotted a portion to paint or stick collage material to represent icons from different parts of the world. After all students had contributed, Chitra worked to unify the painting in her signature textural abstract style.The final piece measures 13.8 feet wide and 4 feet high. It was made possible by a grant to the school by the Washington Township School Foundation and was completed on April 5, 2008.
Chitra Ramanathan grew up in India and studied art at the University of Illinois/Champaign-Urbana. Her abstract paintings are frequently created in expansive scale or as multi-paneled works, and visually portray happiness and joy. They have been frequently displayed in private as well as public venues including courthouses, hotels, and prominent solo and group exhibitions. Numerous originals have been acquired by private and business clients, auctions as well as commissioned large-scale paintings and series. Once an Indianapolis resident, she currently lives in Florida.
