Please join the Shreveport Regional Arts Council and the Louisiana Division of the Arts for the Mooringsport Elementary School
Mural Dedication
“Lakes of Knowledge”
Mooringsport’s Educational Odyssey
by Ka’Davien Baylor
Thursday, February 8, 2024
10:00 AM @ Mooringsport Elementary School
602 Latimer St., Mooringsport, LA 71060
The mural recognizes Mooringsport Elementary School’s community spirit, Louisiana heritage, passion for excellence, clear vision, outstanding leadership, and strong educational programs.
The “Lakes of Knowledge” Mural is created through the Louisiana Division of the Arts Percent for Art Program, and is administered by the Shreveport Regional Arts Council.
The Shreveport Regional Arts Council announces the dedication of the Mooringsport Elementary School Mural created by Ka'Davien Baylor for Thursday, February 8, 10:00 AM at the school, 602 Latimer Street in Mooringsport, LA.
The Mural is a project of the Louisiana Division of the Arts Percent for Art Program, designed to encourage Arts Councils and Schools throughout the state to realize the value of publicly assessable Art for their community, students, and faculty. The program is designed to motivate Artists to work outside of the normal “canvas” realm and bring the art to a larger scale in the form of murals.
Ka'Davien Baylor’s Mural is entitled, “Lakes of Knowledge – Mooringsport’s Educational Odyssey.” The Mural emphasizes the Mooringsport Elementary School values: “Together we Encourage; Together we Achieve.” Images in the mural embody iconic symbols of the Mooringsport community including its early history with Oil Wells, fishing on Caddo Lake, the famous Steamboat, Railroad Bridge, and endless Magnolia Trees. The Mural also shares the important people who have influenced Mooringsport such as Huddy (Leadbelly) Ledbetter, Academy award-winning Director, Author/Illustrator William Joyce, and “Blue Dog” Artist George Rodrigue, whose family started the A+ Schools program of which Mooringsport is a part.
Henry Price, Arts Curriculum Specialist for Caddo Parish Public Schools, and President of the Shreveport Regional Arts Council Board of Directors shares, “As a Louisiana A+ school in a rural area, the students at Mooringsport Elementary deserve this mural as part of the culture of creativity. The mural acts as a catalyst that engages the entire school and the community while embracing the school culture and climate.”
“The Louisiana Percent for Art Program celebrates the transformative mural at Mooringsport Elementary, a collaboration between Ka'Davien Baylor and the
Shreveport Regional Arts Council, supported by the Percent for Art Murals in Schools Grant,” explains Scott Finch, Director for the Louisiana Percent for Art Program. “This vibrant artwork enriches the school and inspires community, embodying our mission to elevate public spaces, celebrate Louisiana's heritage, and spark economic growth.”
Ka'Davien Baylor is a renowned muralist working in both Texas and Louisiana. He has created murals throughout downtown Shreveport and in several Caddo Parish Public Schools. He possesses a keen ability to attach understandable “icons” to intangible qualities such as values, heritage, and knowledge. The “Lakes of Knowledge” mural translates these important Mooringsport Elementary assets into a message of inspiration for generations to come.
Ka'Davien explains, “Being selected for a statewide Louisiana Division of the Arts project is a profound honor that has not only fueled my passion for artistic expression but also inspired me to pursue future Louisiana Department of the Arts commissions, fostering a continuous journey of creative ingenuity and contribution to society.”
Mooringsport Elementary School Principal, Debra Kurkiewicz involved several classrooms in the Mural making process including the 3rd Grade classes taught by Ashley Kulek and Blair Jackson and the Art Classes taught by Kelly Dix. The school choir under the direction of Jan Stewart will perform at the Dedication. Ms. Kurkiewicz enthusiastically reports, “The mural is wonderful. I arrived on campus this morning and was so excited to see the mural in “life size.” The car line was slowed down by everyone stopping to compliment the new addition to the gym wall. We can’t wait to take class pictures in front of the mural for the yearbook!”
The Mooringsport Mural dedication is Thursday, February 8, at 10:00 am. The public is welcome to attend.