Impactful art: Class of ’23 grads leave lasting impressions in Monroeville

If you wonder what students in the 1960s possibly could have in common with today’s youngsters, a new mural at Gateway’s Ramsey Elementary School provides an answer.

“Everybody loves Snoopy,” artist Hannah Gresock said. “And when I was in the hallway painting it, every kid was like, ‘Is that Snoopy on the wall? When are you going to paint the Snoopy?’ Everyone knew that it was Snoopy.”

Yes, Charles Schulz’s venerable Peanuts characters continue to resonate, with Charlie Brown’s beloved beagle joined in the Ramsey corridor by bird buddy Woodstock, named, of course, for the era-defining 1969 music festival.

For the 2022-23 academic year, Hannah joined two other Gateway High School seniors in completing projects that will preserve their local legacies after their May 31 graduation.

The artwork of Brody Clemens and Veronica McNeece is on display in the children’s department at Monroeville Public Library as a colorful sign indicating where to find nonfiction books.

Greta Severson, their art teacher, helped arrange for the projects and complimented the students on their dedication.

“They put in a tremendous amount of time and effort, not only to come up with the ideas themselves, but to produce the work. It took them the better part of the school year to get this work done,” she said. “They worked independently during their free time after school, driving themselves to get to the buildings, all the pieces of management. So they are leaders, not only in their work but also in what they show to other students.”

At Ramsey, PTO member Michelle Kilburn approached Severson about livening up a school hallway.

“She was interested to see if we had any students who would like to take that on as a project this year,” Severson said. “It was her idea, and as soon as she asked, Hannah popped in mind because I had seen her work.”

An example is the fence of a family friend on which Hannah painted a mural, and she has contributed to the artwork at a spray-paint-friendly location in Pittsburgh.

“I was always interested in doing art, but just, like, in my room,” she said. “But then when I’m out in public like that, creating large things that catch people’s attention, it shows you that side of art and how it impacts the community.”

At the library, Severson collaborates frequently with Hope Benson, head of the children’s department

“We were chatting and looking around, and it just sort of came up that it would be great to have students do a piece for the children’s department,” Severson said. “She mentioned that she’d like something for the nonfiction area, and really, we were given full rein to come up with the ideas ourselves.”

Brody and Veronica took it on as a dual project.

“We did it separately, but together,” Veronica said, explaining that she took care of painting the portraits at the top of the sign and Brody the “nonfiction” lettering at the bottom. “I think it turned out really well. It turned out how we wanted it to.”

The finished product represents a timeline of sorts, starting on the left with Michelangelo’s David — face only! — of the Renaissance era and proceeding toward a helmeted astronaut. In between are likenesses of Martin Luther King Jr., artist Frida Kahlo and, for fans of video games, the Minecraft Cow.

“I like drawing things that are more whimsical and fun,” Veronica said about the bovine addition.

Brody’s lettering features a variety of elements, from the representation of an animal cell in the name of science to integrating the U.S. flag as part of the closing “n.”

“I wanted it to have an array of different interests for people. So for every other letter, there’s a cool design,” he said. “Then I had some dinosaurs, which is my favorite part.”

He is studying graphic design at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., and Hannah will continue to pursue art education at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. Veronica’s career objective is to teach English in other countries, but she’ll continue to hone her artistic talents, as well.

In the meantime, their work has a lasting presence in Monroeville.

“It will serve as inspiration for other students coming up,” Severson said.