2023 Arts Education Program
Location: Arapahoe Ridge High School, Boulder, CO
Students at Arapahoe Ridge High School teamed up with artist Max Coleman, aka Oak Bloak, to create this vibrant mural. Reflecting Oak Bloak’s signature style, the work bursts with bold, contrasting colors and dreamy, almost psychedelic imagery. The mural takes the form of a triptych, featuring three distinct animals—each occupying its own panel.
The theme of animals emerged through collaboration between Max and the students, who felt a strong connection to the idea. Each animal represents a different group in the natural world: ravens symbolize flying creatures, the grizzly bear represents the predator, and the bull stands in for herbivores. Max chose these subjects with the hope that every student would identify with at least one of them and form a personal connection.
Students also played a major role in designing and painting the unique environments that surround each animal. With minimal prompting, they brought their own creativity to life, resulting in rich and textured backgrounds across the mural. Through this process, they not only contributed to a powerful public artwork but also experienced the creative freedom, collaboration, and peace that come with making art on a large scale.
The mural was painted on three 4’ x 8’ boards.