Kelly Saiz
Editor-in-Chief
After nearly five months of painting, sophomore Katie Melland is nearing the completion of a mural intended for installation in the Outback Teen Center late this month. Katie designed the mural last August after her mom spotted an article in the New Canaan Advertiser outlining the contest, which requested local painters to create a mural sketch. Later that month Katie submitted a 2’x1’ sketch, which was selected in October.
New Canaan YMCA Outback Teen Center Program Director Nicki Jezairian said the sketch was impressive and detailed. “Seeing the imagination of where her mind took her was engaging,” Ms. Jezairian said. “I thought it would be a great addition to the building and something kids could relate to.”
According to Katie, the mural serves as a visual representation of where teens go in town. As it is now, the mural includes buildings such as the Library, Outback and McKenzie’s. There are also items such as a video game controller, flip-flop and various athletic equipment.
Painting from home, Katie has benefited from a flexible schedule. “[Painting] has been a lot of fun,” she said. “I like the freedom to paint whenever: after school, during the weekends or late at night.” Katie added that she often paints up to six hours on Saturdays.
Katie and her parents purchased acrylic paint and an 11’x8’ canvas from Jerry’s Artarama in Norwalk. “I think it’s general size is kind of a burden but there isn’t too much pressure because I don’t really have a deadline,” she said.
Ms. Jezairian originally requested the mural be completed in December 2010 so that it might be installed prior to the New Year. Due to a busy schedule including school and painting classes at the Silvermine Guild Art Center, Katie requested the date be delayed and now operates free of deadline. “Katie was working very hard, we had to take everything into account,” Ms. Jezairian said. “[The Outback] isn’t going anywhere. I know she’s responsible enough to get it done.”
Still, Outback board members are eager for the mural to be installed and were reportedly pleased to see the work in progress at the Ten Years for Teens fundraiser on Friday, Feb. 11. “The Outback board co-chairs just loved it. It truly brightened up the space, gave it a completely different feeling,” Ms. Jezairian said. “I’m excited to just have it as a permanent piece.
Thanks to her mother, a professional cake decorator, as well as her aunt and grandmother who sew, Katie said she has always known art. For the last two years she has been taking portfolio classes at Silvermine to prepare a portfolio for art schools. “I can’t remember when I started to paint. I probably started in my elementary school art classes,” she said. “Art is my thing.”
Katie’s parents have played a role in the development of the mural by driving her to purchase supplies, providing space and transporting the canvas back and forth to the Outback, a careful process. The mother-daughter team will also install the mural, which they expect to mount on a wooden frame.
Ms. Jazairian said the mural will serve as more than just a decorative piece. “The mural will serve as an inspiration to future artists and other artists,” she said. “I can’t thank [Katie] enough for putting herself out there. I sincerely thank her for her creativity and sharing it with us.”
