Woodrow Wilson Middle School

The rows of outreaching hands with “RELIEF” at their fingertips represents all those individuals searching for jobs during the Depression. Gilbert Wilson separated the rows of hands by race to call attention to discrimination practices in the workplace. The top two rows of hands, which are greater in size and number, are closest to the words “relief, relief.” There are lines representing motion above the palms of those hands; this illustrates that they are closest to and more able to grasp onto the available jobs. As the hands change race, they are farther away from and smaller than those at the top. This represents the discrimination’s results: people who are less likely to be hired because of their color and who become more desperate because of it. This section of the mural was extremely unpopular during the early twentieth century, for it pointed out unfair hiring practices and prejudices.

The west mural has a single theme: education. In that context, the seedling plant obviously represents the student. The parallels between the emerging plant and middle school students are many. Both are young. Both have untapped potential. The growth of both is influenced by environment. The plant needs a proper foundation to plant its roots; the student needs the “roots” of family. The growth environment of school should encourage the student to grow and reach their full potential; the plant’s growth environment ideally will include sunlight, fertilizer, and warmth. The down-stretching hands represent the teachers. The hands are older and hopefully wise; they will offer educational experiences that encourage the students to grow.  

The North Mural has the them of freedom through technology. Several images reinforce the theme. The scientist is shown as a super-hero requiring six arms and giant size to achieve all that he is charged with doing. Menacing machines surround the scientist and his protege, the “everyman”, shown in coveralls. The scientist raises a different a defiant fist in anger toward the machines with serpent eyes, skulls and cannon barrels. These represent machines of evil and war. The scientist’s goal in life is not to research methods to destroy, rather it is to conduct research for the benefit of mankind. Two of the scientist’s six arms hold back machines with breaking chains. These machines might try to take over and control mankind rather than the other way around. Prior to creating this mural, Wilson had just read Orwell’s book 1984, which projected that man would be the slave of machines by the year 1984. The book suggested that machines would spy on man and control his very thoughts. To prevent this from happening, Wilson charged the scientist with the duty of protecting us. The scientist has on hand gently holding a microscope; this hints at his role in research. One hand rests on the arm of the common man, while another points to the future. This indicates that the scientist could lead us to the future. Below the images, the word LIBERATION reinforces the visual images. The liberation is our freedom from some tasks through the invention of new technology utilizing the important research of the scientist. In the lower left corner, the artist wrote a dedication for the murals. He indicated that he wanted to thank certain individuals by name. He also wanted to warn people not to touch the murals because they are made of pastels, which smear. He also expressed his sympathy for any young person who was creative. He felt depressed about the reception his murals got from the local community and wanted to warm others that it would not be easy to lead a creative life.