FLVT Students Leave Their Mark on Lethbridge’s Largest Mural

Students from Father Leonard Van Tighem School (FLVT) are seeing their creativity shine beyond the classroom walls—literally—after playing a major role in the creation of a vibrant new mural in Lethbridge’s Britannia-Highlands neighbourhood. Over 80 students from Grades 4–9 at FLVT had the incredible opportunity to take part in a vibrant and meaningful public art initiative through the Lethbridge Youth Pilot Art Project.

Led by FLVT teachers Emily Boutland (Grade 4) and Kyra Peake (Grade 8)—alongside renowned Alberta muralists Lacey Jane Wilburn and Layla Folkmann of LALA Art, and Leanne Kembel, Student Engagement Coordinator—the project aimed to both beautify a local pedestrian tunnel and give students a unique, hands-on experience in the creative process of public art.

The experience began with engaging, school-based art workshops where students were invited to reflect on and visually express what they love about their school, their community, and life in Lethbridge. Their drawings celebrated everything from family and friendship to nature, local landmarks, and favourite places—all under the theme of visual storytelling.

“It was such an amazing opportunity to have students from both elementary and junior high be part of this,” she said. “It was so neat to watch the process unfold—from the time they created their small drawings to seeing them on such a large scale in the tunnel. It was a unique chance for our youth to have an artistic voice and be part of beautifying something in our community.”

Working with the artists, students’ sketches were carefully woven into a larger composition that became “Tunnel Vision,” the largest mural project ever completed in Lethbridge, spanning 2,500 square feet.

FLVT students were then invited to the mural site to help bring their drawings to life—painting side-by-side with professional artists and learning large-scale painting techniques in the process.

“It was really fun. We got to make a lot of drawings and use different materials we wouldn't have had the chance to use otherwise,” said Grade 9 student Lolu Awoderu. “To be a part of this felt good because we helped paint it, we helped make it, and we were there for the concept. It was like experiencing history.”

Muralist Lacey Jane explained that preserving the creativity and originality of each student’s vision was at the heart of the project.

“When you give a child a crayon and a piece of paper, what they come up with is truly genius, wildly unique, and wonderful in every way. It was important for us to keep the actual drawings they had done but blow them up on such a huge scale. The sky’s the limit—and as you walk through this tunnel, you can see anything and everything their little minds could come up with.”

The “Tunnel Vision” mural is now a permanent part of Lethbridge’s growing public art collection and a lasting reminder of the imagination and talent of local youth. For FLVT students and staff, it’s also a powerful example of how education, art, and community can come together to create something truly special.