Sophomore Advisory Group Explores Art as a Powerful Communication Tool
What happens when Indian Creek students discover a shared interest in street art during Upper School Advisory? A special guest speaker appears during the next meeting to kindle their interest even futher!
Mrs. Roberta Pardo, Indian Creek parent and Owner/Creator of Urban Walls Brazil, graciously shared her passion for street art to the 14 young people in Mrs. Shrum’s Sophomore Advisory this week. Mrs. Pardo explained that she brings Street Artists from all over the world to the Annapolis area to create murals that bring awareness to the importance of diversity.
Mrs. Roberta Pardo, Indian Creek parent and Owner/Creator of Urban Walls Brazil, graciously shared her passion for street art to the 14 young people in Mrs. Shrum’s Sophomore Advisory this week. Mrs. Pardo explained that she brings Street Artists from all over the world to the Annapolis area to create murals that bring awareness to the importance of diversity.
A native of Brazil, Mrs. Pardo captured the students' attention immediately cool accent and vibrant personality. She described that being different and living in the United States was empowering. The group engaged in a lively discussion about Mrs. Pardo belief that “Art - when used to express ideas, opinions, and desires - can break down walls, transform spaces, or even educate people in a very effective way." She shared that "Art is a universal language that can touch masses and cross the barriers of language.”
Mrs. Pardo showed the class more than 20 examples of murals that Urban Walls Brazil has completed, in partnership with the City of Annapolis, to bring awareness to the importance of expression. One such mural was painted six years ago on Indian Creek’s Lower School campus, which many of the students fondly remembered. Mateus Bailon’s mural on the Lower School campus highlights the mass destruction of forests in Brazil. It also depicts the importance of the environment to everyone’s health and well-being. Knowing the school mascot is the “Eagle,” Mateus used various birds to symbolize to every Creeker the importance of spreading their wings and learning to fly.
When one student mentioned she was not good at art, Mrs. Pardo encouraged her by saying “everyone is good at art. Art has no boundaries. Are comes in all shapes, forms, and colors. Art represents the most pure and powerful dreams.”
Beyond art, Mrs. Pardo and the sophomore group started a dialogue about diversity, self-worth, passion, understanding what makes your unique, and more. The dialogue Mrs. Pardo began will become the foundation for next week’s Advisory lesson on Self-Awareness. Mrs. Shrum’s Advisees will share what they feel their strengths are and where they struggle, as a means to help them develop both awareness and confidence in themselves and their academic performance. Mrs. Shrum's Advisory group would like to send a huge thank you to Mrs. Pardo for her inspiring visit.
Mrs. Pardo has been generosity contributing her time, talent, and financial resources to make Indian Creek a better place for everyone for the past 14 years. She is an Indian Creek Board member and the mother of Gaby ’22, Lucas ’24, and Izzy '26. She is also the founder and owner of Urban Walls Brazil.
Mrs. Pardo has been generosity contributing her time, talent, and financial resources to make Indian Creek a better place for everyone for the past 14 years. She is an Indian Creek Board member and the mother of Gaby ’22, Lucas ’24, and Izzy '26. She is also the founder and owner of Urban Walls Brazil.
Indian Creek School
Indian Creek school is a co-educational, college preparatory independent school, located in Crownsville, Maryland. Students in Pre-K3 through grade 12 receive a vibrant educational experience based on excellent academics steeped in strong student-teacher connections.
