New mural illustrates St. Brigid School motto: ‘We have heart’

January 9, 2015

The Parent Teacher Guild of St. Brigid School and Academy of Art University unveiled the “Animal Race,” a mural created by students of the university’s fine art mural painting class, on the St. Brigid campus, 2250 Franklin St., San Francisco, Dec. 18.

A blessing of the art work by St. Mary’s Cathedral pastor and rector Msgr. John Talesfore was followed by a performance by the award-winning St. Brigid Choir.

The 66-foot-long “Animal Race” transformed a gray concrete wall into a magical scene that showcases members of the animal kingdom moving at various paces – from monkey to lion and owl. The muralists, under the guidance of academy instructor Carol Nunnelly, created the work in one semester, adding a few touches based on St. Brigid students’ suggestions.

A news release about the event said the “Animal Race” serves to illustrate the K-8 school’s motto “We have heart” and the message of how some are quick to compete and excel and others hold back and are more contemplative. “This underlying theme is about children discovering their place in a competitive world and emphasizes the point: Be who you are and go at your own pace,” the press release said.

The mural is dedicated to the memory of Sister Mary Jo Wise, a longtime supporter and teacher at St. Brigid, who died in May 2014.