By Lara Baehr

Marshfield School District

MARSHFIELD — The city of Marshfield Wellness Committee, in conjunction with local artists, has coordinated a wellness project over the last couple of years that incorporates art into the stairwell of City Hall Plaza to encourage employees and visitors to make a healthy lifestyle choice of taking the stairs. Several murals were completed by local artists.

Artist Kris Leonhardt took the project a step further by mentoring high school students from Spencer High School, Columbus High School, and Stratford High School who painted murals. Additionally, Leonhardt completed her second mural at City Hall.

Jessica Hall painted a mural titled “Marsh,” which represents the Marshfield logo. She volunteered on the project because she has a passion for art, it was an opportunity to get out of her comfort zone and try something new, and it is a good way to motivate people to take the stairs.

Kaytlin Gessert painted a mural called “The Colors of a Storm,” which showcases the beauty of nature in a new and unique way while incorporating a variety of colors. Gessert volunteered to challenge her artistic skills.

Madison Merrill’s mural titled “Teary Mother” was inspired by wanting to raise awareness for the environment in a way that was hopeful. She volunteered with the project as a way to expand her knowledge and experience with art.

Leonhardt said that these young ladies were a pleasure to work with throughout the mentorship program. She noted that they volunteered between varying hectic schedules to finish their projects. Already accomplished artists, they created terrific pieces with little guidance.

Leonhardt herself was inspired to create a mural titled “One Nation.” The majority of the murals she has created are patriotic, historical, or scenic in nature. Leonhardt wanted to make a statement with the new mural and feels it is a reflection of today’s society.