Student Space Gets An Update With Street Art Mural

Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s cafeteria has been given a fresh face — or four — with the recent completion of a mural by Connecticut-based artist Ben Keller. The vibrant largescale piece was unveiled at a ceremony at the end of May.

Keller, who has painted murals throughout the state and nation, was first contacted by the small public school in Falls Village, Conn., in September last year. He proposed varying designs depicting the school’s diverse population to students and staff before agreeing on a series of portraits.

“They wanted to bring in something a little more edgy, a little more street art meets a rural landscape. So that’s what I tried to integrate into the design,” Keller said. “We wanted to reflect more of an urban flair in a little farm town.”

Keller said he was inspired by a changing demographic both at the high school and throughout the Northwest Corner.

“A lot of the students that attend there now moved to that section of Connecticut from New York City or other urban areas,” said Keller.

He initially planned to paint the faces of HVRHS students in his work, but later decided against it.

“We realized that might lead to some controversy. You know, having to eat in the cafeteria with your six-foot head on the wall,” said Keller. “Instead, we chose students that are of the same age bracket but not necessarily from the area.”

The project was completed using a combination of wall paint and spray paint. HVRHS students contributed to the design phase and helped apply finishing touches to the mural.

“Part of the whole scope of the project was to have the kids participate. That was always fun. I always enjoy working with kids,” said Keller.

Keller said he hopes the mural brings people together and further promotes the arts at HVRHS.

“I just hope that people can find connection and inspiration because a lot of the people that are part of the class are really creative kids,” he said. “It was really impressive how far advanced some of these kids are in the fine arts. It’s pretty cool.”