Long after the paint dried, one project from I AM ART 2026 continues to tell the story of an unforgettable week. A vibrant mural now covers an exterior wall at Opal House School. More than a beautiful work of art, it stands as a lasting reminder of what can happen when a community creates something together.
A Shared Vision
Throughout the week, every Opal House student helped paint the collaborative mural. Centered on the image of the Good Shepherd, the artwork reflected a theme students had explored throughout the school year. During camp, they also followed Ruth’s journey from uncertainty to belonging. Together, those stories pointed to Jesus, the Shepherd who knows each of His sheep by name, searches for those who are lost, and faithfully gathers them into one flock.
Both stories reveal the same truth: belonging is not something we earn. It is a gift we receive.
Unlike most camp projects, this mural did not belong to one student. It belonged to everyone. Every brushstroke and every color required students to listen, encourage one another, and work toward a shared vision. As the artwork took shape, it reflected the community they were building together.
Volunteer artist Lindsey Bailey, who teaches internationally and currently lives in Ethiopia, believes that lesson mattered more than the finished mural.
“The mural reminded me that art is about so much more than the finished pieces—it is about the relationships built, the confidence gained, and the memories created together.”
— Lindsey Bailey, Volunteer Artist
Building Community Through Art
As the week progressed, Lindsey watched students relate to one another in new ways. Older students encouraged younger classmates. Ideas were shared instead of guarded. Small victories became reasons for everyone to celebrate. Without drawing attention to itself, the mural became a place where patience, collaboration, and trust could grow through experience rather than instruction.
The project demonstrated that creating art together shapes more than a finished piece. It strengthens relationships, teaches teamwork, and gives every participant an opportunity to contribute something meaningful.
Marvin's Story
One student in particular captured that transformation.
When camp began, Marvin stayed quietly on the edges of activities. He hesitated to participate and seemed unsure where he belonged. Lindsey encouraged him to contribute at his own pace, and little by little his confidence grew. By the end of the week, Marvin had become an active part of the project. He took pride in his work and celebrated what the group accomplished together.
Reflecting on the week, Lindsey shared:
“As the week progressed, I watched Marvin’s confidence grow. He became increasingly engaged in the creative process, took pride in his artwork, and gradually began to come out of his shell. Witnessing that transformation was one of the most rewarding moments of the week.”
— Lindsey Bailey, Volunteer Artist
Confidence Grows in Community
Marvin’s journey reflected something volunteers witnessed again and again throughout the week. Children flourish when they know they are welcomed. They become willing to take creative risks when others value their ideas. Encouragement replaces comparison, and confidence begins to grow within the safety of community.
That was the true masterpiece the mural created.
Its beauty did not come from the talent of any one student. Instead, it emerged as each child contributed unique gifts to something larger than themselves. Like Paul’s description of the Church as one body with many parts, the mural became a visual expression of a community where every contribution mattered.
A Lasting Reminder
Today, the Good Shepherd mural remains on the walls of Opal House School. Students pass it every day, and future classes will pause to admire its colors and craftsmanship. Yet its greatest legacy extends far beyond the paint.
The mural lives on in the friendships that deepened, the confidence that quietly emerged in students like Marvin, and the lasting reminder that every child has a place in God’s story.
Like Ruth finding a family in a foreign land, and like the sheep gathered safely by the Good Shepherd, the mural continues to proclaim a simple but profound truth:
We belong because we are known, loved, and welcomed into God’s family together.
Read the Full Impact Report for Opal House I AM ART camp here.
