July 15, 2025 |News

Beyond Walls Expands Classroom To The Streets Initiative, Introducing Fellowships For Local Teens

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Six World-Class Artists Will Join 10 Students and 11 Teachers to Create Seven Large-Scale Murals and Complementary Curriculum For Grades K-12

This summer teachers and students from Lynn Public Schools (LPS) and St. Mary’s, a private parochial school in Lynn, will work side-by-side with renowned artists to create large-scale murals and curriculum that will be used to educate and inspire 17,000 students across the city. This model program represents an expansion of Classroom to the Streets (CTTS); an initiative originally launched in 2021 by Beyond Walls—a nonprofit that engages the communities it serves through large-scale public art, interactive design, and arts education initiatives. CTTS, which emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to arts education, was designed to enhance critical thinking skills and promote academic success while celebrating Lynn’s diverse cultural communities, fostering a sense of connection and pride.

Through this initiative, Teacher Fellows who receive professional development credits for their participation, are paired with renowned artists. For the first time, a new cohort of Student Fellows — all rising high school seniors — will participate, guided by artists and educators.

In the coming weeks, 10 high school juniors interested in the fine arts, education, or art education will work alongside 11 educators and six professional artists hailing from Italy, Spain, Argentina, Baltimore, Florida, and California as part of a 6-week program. Together, the group will design and install seven murals (four at 85 Munroe Street, two at 50 Silsbee Street, and one at 31 Exchange Street) and develop dynamic lesson plans. In the fall teachers will organize tours so that K-12 students from across the city can experience and interpret the art showcased throughout downtown Lynn and forge connections with classroom learning.

“Since our founding in 2017, Beyond Walls has worked to galvanize communities, eliminate barriers to art, provide educational and training opportunities for teachers and students, support local businesses, and promote visitation to vibrant cities like Lynn,” said Founder and Executive Director Al Wilson. “Our hope is that by connecting teachers and students with working artists, highlighting Lynn’s distinctive public artofferings, and crafting new learning tools, Classroom to the Streets will influence and inspire students of every age and background.”

CTTS is recognized as an innovative, dynamic, interdisciplinary arts-based education program that reflects the diverse cultures of the local community while addressing specific student learning outcomes.
“Our teachers appreciate the opportunity to work in collaboration with artists whose work they admire and an enthusiastic group of students as part of the Classroom to the Streets program developed right here in Lynn with input and ideas from talented Lynn-based educators,” said Patty Kilbansky, Director of Visual Art, Theater & Dance for Lynn Public Schools.

While CTTS has been piloted in Lynn, Beyond Walls plans to introduce the program to other cities and school districts through an open application process.

“This initiative gives young people a real voice in shaping the public art around them while building essential life skills along the way,” said Lisa McCarthy, Beyond Walls’ Classroom to the Streets Program Manager. “They’re working side-by-side with world-renowned artists and their own teachers in a setting that’s as creative as it is collaborative. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that’s already drawing interest from schools and communities across the Commonwealth. Our goal is to share what we’ve learned here in Lynn with students in every corner of the state.”

Mural installations will take place from July 28 through August 8, 2025, culminating in a community celebration on Saturday, August 9 as part of the Lynn Arts & Culture Festival.

The above press release was submitted to us by Beyond Walls.