Hi Mural Project

Educate Together NS, Carlow

This mural project was developed by Paul Byrne in collaboration with a 6th class group from Educate Together National School in Carlow, supported through an Arts Act Grant from Carlow Arts Office. The project centred on an exploration of cultural identity, belonging and inclusion, inviting students to reflect on their own backgrounds while recognising and celebrating the diversity within their school community. Through a series of facilitated workshops, participants shared personal stories, languages and experiences, which informed the concept and design of the final artwork.

The resulting mural, a large-scale two-storey “Hi”, features each letter filled with the word “welcome” in multiple languages, representing the many identities present within the group and the wider community. Co-created with the students from concept through to completion, the work reflects a shared authorship and a collective message of openness. Positioned within the school environment, the mural acts as both a visual landmark and a daily reminder of inclusion, demonstrating how collaborative art practices can empower young people to shape the spaces they inhabit while fostering a deeper understanding of identity and belonging.