The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority and Liberty VI collaborated to create a colorful and animated mural at the Boys and Girls Club in Oswald Harris Court on St. Thomas, not only to beautify the space but also to foster community engagement.
The mural was created to “inspire youth and encourage them to become active community stewards, said Shéna Ritter, environmental program coordinator for the Waste Management Authority. “The vibrant design is intended not only to beautify the space but to serve as a daily reminder of self-worth, positivity, and the potential for change.”
The project, which began at the end of April, was finally completed a little over a week ago. Ritter and Alice Krall, the Waste Management Authority’s beautification coordinator, were steadfast in collaborating to bring the project to life. Last week, students aged 5 to 14 from Lockhart Elementary School, Joseph Sibilly Elementary School, Ulla F. Muller Elementary School, and Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School participated in painting and adding their finishing touches, and were very excited about the finished project.
“We returned on the first day of camp to observe the students’ reactions, and the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ were nonstop. Even before the mural was fully unveiled, several students snuck a peek through the windows while the club was still closed. Their excitement and curiosity were contagious, and their enthusiasm validated just how impactful this project really was,” said Ritter.
Though this mural was done as a collaborative effort, Ritter said that the Waste Management Authority has coordinated several murals throughout the territory, including St. Croix’s Bypass, the Peter’s Rest Convenience Center, and in St. John at Pine Peace. In addition to murals, community outreach, private and governmental partnerships, and even decoratively painted trash carts are initiatives completed by the Waste Management Authority to push environmental awareness and beautification.
“These projects are part of our broader effort to beautify communities and disposal areas, with the goal of promoting civic pride and encouraging residents to help keep these spaces clean and pristine,” said Ritter.
Of the mural at the Boys and Girls Club, Ritter said it began as a lively depiction of local flowers and ultimately transformed into an inspiration for personal growth. The life cycle of a butterfly and the pollination of flowers were painted in the mural, showing the elements of change and metamorphosis, and metaphorically alluding to adolescent maturation.
“It’s meant to represent their journey as future leaders of the Virgin Islands, and I believe it delivers that message in a meaningful way,” she said.
The colors green, blue, red, black, orange, and yellow were used to create the mural.
“I wanted to create something fun, a pictorial that lights up children’s eyes and makes learning exciting and visual.” She added that, “It was an incredibly rewarding experience. Knowing that this was done for the children, to inspire both learning and creativity, makes it even more meaningful. The mural truly reflects our original vision. I’m very proud of the outcome,” Krall said.
The project was completely funded by Liberty VI. Catherine Kling, Liberty’s director of commercial sales, said she was proud and grateful to be a part of the project.
“Knowing that our work will have a positive impact on the lives of young people means so much to me. This wasn’t just another task, it was an opportunity to give back, to support a mission that truly matters, and to be part of something bigger than myself. I’m inspired by the resilience and potential of the kids this organization serves, which was portrayed in the beautiful mural. I hope this project helps create even more opportunities for them to thrive. I am thankful to the VIWMA team for making this happen so quickly,” Kling said.
“This piece is more than a mural, it’s a living lesson,” said Ritter. “Our hope is to help shape the mindset of the young generation, to show that change is not only possible but necessary, and that, like the Earth, when properly nurtured, they too will flourish.”
Ritter also mentioned that the Waste Management Authority will collaborate with the Yvonne Bowsky Elementary School for their next community project.
“We’re excited to announce that VIWMA has adopted the school garden at Yvonne Bowsky Elementary School as part of our next community partnership. This is a major project, and we’re currently seeking more support through our Preserving Paradise Partners initiative,” Ritter said.
She added that organizations like Yacht Haven Grande, the Virgin Islands Conservation Society, and the Sigma Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. will be supporting the project, and that the Waste Management Authority welcomes partnerships to expand opportunities for youth engagement.
For more information on becoming a Preserving Paradise Partner, email the Division of Education and Communications Management team at [email protected] or call 340-514-9100.
