Artist Paints Grassland Mural

Published May 8, 2008

While the students at Grassland Elementary School were enjoying their Spring Break earlier this year, their school's cafeteria was receiving a makeover. Renowned artist Gale Hinton traveled to Williamson County in March to paint a mural inside Grassland's lunchroom. Hinton has been painting murals for schools, restaurants and hospitals across the country for more than 45 years. "When you paint a mural it's like walking into a book," says Hinton. "I want people to feel like they opened a page and stepped inside."

On Monday, March 17, Hinton began the process of transforming Grassland's cafeteria into a wooded wonderland full of tree-houses, hot air balloons and eagles. Hinton worked with the Grassland School and Community Association to develop a theme for the lunchroom. Once a decision was reached, Hinton began painting and less than four days later the mural was

complete. Teachers say the end result is nothing short of spectacular. "It's really amazing," says first grade teacher Tammie Wetherholt. "Gale is such a talented artist." And the students agree. Upon returning to school after Spring Break, they were blown away by the new artwork that covered the cafeteria walls. Wetherholt says the mural has even had an unexpected result. "It seems to help with the discipline in the cafeteria. It has a calming effect on the kids so that a good thing."

The mural was paid for by the GSCA, and plans are already in the works to bring Hinton back for more work in the fall.  "That's something we're looking into doing and now it's just an order of priority," says Wetherholt, who adds that many of the teachers would like for Hinton to paint murals outside their rooms.  "She's fabulous and I think it's a great gift she has to be able to give to our kids."