As Miami Art Week sweeps through South Florida, a burst of color and creativity has landed on the walls of Calvary Christian Academy in North Miami. This historic school is undergoing an artistic transformation, courtesy of The Raw Project, a collaborative effort that brings muralists from around the globe to spruce up educational institutions. "We have these artists on campus creating these murals to just really beautify our campus and we are just excited to see this in action," Principal Kris Hughes told Local 10 News.

The initiative connects established artists with schools that could use a splash of inspiration on their walls. The impact of The Raw Project's work is apparent, reportedly leading to higher test scores, improved class attendance, and bolstering school spirit. But the benefits are not merely academic. As students returned from their Thanksgiving break, they were introduced to the vibrant tapestries that now adorn their learning environment.

WSVN reports on the hands-on experience hundreds of students received from world-class mural artists during the project's launch. Students engaged with artists, learning about their process and the stories behind their art. According to Joe Wilson, head of Lower Schools at Calvary Christian Academy North Miami, “We found that mural art is a wonderful way of bringing color in, bringing excitement in.”

Among the contributors is artist Kevin Ledo who believes in the necessity of accessible art for children. He shared with WSVN, "We’re doing stuff to bring art to the kids, kind of inspire the kids. Get them to think about art and have access to art, and it’s not something in between four walls or at an art fair or something you have to pay to go to see.” Echoing this sentiment, fellow artist Jaclyn Jirak Wright chose a heartfelt message for her mural, saying, “So I chose to write, ‘You are a light.’ I think so often we tell children, we tell people, ‘You have to find something, you have to become something,’ and we all are something already right? We’re all an inspiration to other people.”