At the end of each year, the 8th graders taking the Art I course earn a unique privilege by getting to decorate the school with their own special ceiling tile. Each year in the spring, the students gather on one Saturday to pick a tile of their choice and decorate it anyway they like. The 8th graders then get to choose where to put the tile, and once their tiles dry, the staff will put them up in their own designated spots. This way, at the end of the year, all the 8th grade mustangs will be able to see their own work displayed in the halls and around the school.

The ceiling tiles aren’t just for decoration, they also serve as a way for the art students to express their hobbies and aspirations. Around the school, many past artists have painted pictures and art pieces of things they enjoy. Tiles around the school feature depictions of things like social media, favorite characters from books and movies, or even school subjects. Many of the past 8th graders have also written quotes on their tiles to inspire future students and brighten favorite teacher’s classrooms. So, whether it be a gift to a mentor or a show of interest in a subject, students can choose from a variety of ideas on which to base their art projects.

However there are some tiles that have been taken down in the past years. At the base of the gym stairwell, there used to be a tile with a painted target, and many students would throw pencils into it, causing the janitor to remove the tile. Although some may argue that the ceiling tiles are a bit distracting, in reality they are just a show of creativity in many different styles. “The ceiling tiles are a way to leave your creative mark on Canyon Vista,” stated Mr.Ramirez as an encouragement to future Art I students.

The ceiling tiles are truly unique pieces of artwork that should be admired by the student body as a whole, and if the rate of kids joining Art I continues, the future of the Canyon Vista building will be touched by many students and their imaginations. Someday, we hope that the whole school will be filled with the brilliant artwork of our mustangs.