Local artist donates painting to Bellewood Public School

by Taylor Desjardins

A local artist has donated a painting to Bellewood Public School as a way of showing her gratitude for her children’s education.

Colleen Seto, a mother of two Bellewood students, talked about her painting called Curiousity that symbolizes the school setting so that children can learn from the process and discuss the elements that consist of four panels to make up the mural.

“It has just been a really nice addition to the school, not only for making it look nice but also is an interesting piece that makes the kids think about art, nature and the environment,” said Joe Younan, the principal at Bellewood.

Seto is getting prepared to come in and talk to the students about the whole process of making the painting to teach them about art.

“I have a booklet that I want to show the kids, the teachers can call me and I might be able to come in for however long they want me and kids can ask me questions,” said Seto.

Younan feels the students are already responding to the mural and is content about the new addition to the school.

“When they look at the picture, you can see them pointing at parts of the picture and discussing things that are in the picture,” said Younan.

Although the painting took Seto four years to complete, she did not want to put a monetary value on the mural. She wanted to donate it to show appreciation to Bellewood for her children’s experience at the school.

“What a lovely thing for them to have their mom give a painting to the school,” said Seto.

When Seto began the mural she was somewhat confused because she never painted with acrylics before.

“I went to art school for three years and I didn’t paint much in acrylics,” said Seto. “I was extremely well educated after doing this painting, now I understand there’s a big difference.”

The painting is located in the main foyer of the school and is in a spot that can be viewed from inside and outside.