Dorian Sylvain
& Dolittle Elementary School
Dorian Sylvain & Dolittle Elementary School

Dorian Sylvain, Muralist, Southside Schools, 2019,
Dorian Sylvain, Muralist, Southside Schools, 2019,
Dorian Sylvain, Muralist, Southside Schools, 2019,
Dorian Sylvain, Muralist, Southside Schools, 2019,
Dorian Sylvain, Muralist, Southside Schools, 2019,
Dorian Sylvain, Muralist, Southside Schools, 2019,
Dorian Sylvain, Muralist, Southside Schools, 2019,
Dorian Sylvain, Muralist, Southside Schools, 2019,
Dorian Sylvain, Muralist, Southside Schools, 2019,
Dorian Sylvain, Muralist, Southside Schools, 2019,
Dorian Sylvain, Muralist, Southside Schools, 2019,
Dorian Sylvain, Muralist, Southside Schools, 2019,
Dorian Sylvain, Muralist, Southside Schools, 2019,
Dorian Sylvain, Muralist, Southside Schools, 2019,

Project Overview

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  • Artist — Dorian Sylvain

  • School — James R. Doolittle Elementary School

  • Neighborhood — Douglas

Many of the corridors at this school are plain and uninspired. As I toured the school with Ms. Macbeth, we identified a 150’ corridor that we would re-design with colors and images of the current student population. During this process my intention is to expand students visual literacy and development of art language. Through design sessions, students will be engaged in thoughtful skill building activities and create an art expression for their school that they can be proud of. 

On January 24 I meet with my team of students. We talked about themes, design ideas and and how art can change the feeling of a space. The students took rough measurements of the hallway, using the 12” tiles on the floor. 

We will meet again on Thursday, February 21, to create a design board, filled with pictures, color swatches, a ground plan, images of students and other ideas from the internet. From this discussion I will create a more specific plan of action. The base painting will begin the second week of March. 

Meet the Artist

Dorian Sylvain

Portrait by Devina Yoestong

Dorian Sylvain is a painter, an interpreter of color; exploring color as it influences her feelings, enhances texture and pattern and how it can be used to exploit imagery. Ms. Sylvain’s painting has crossed many disciplines; studio painting, scenic design, mural painting, decorative arts, education, curation and community planning. For the past three decades she has been committed to the creation of public art projects that expose children and communities to art making, providing a group experience that elevates the neighborhoods aesthetic understanding. Recently awarded “Arts & Culture: Connecting Communities to the Arts” (2013) from the University of Chicago and the South East Commission, recognizing her outstanding work and committed service. In addition, her Decorative Arts Studio has been creating largescale custom painted walls and canvas’ for private clients for over twenty years.

Visit their Website

Dorian Sylvain is a painter, an interpreter of color; exploring color as it influences her feelings, enhances texture and pattern and how it can be used to exploit imagery. Ms. Sylvain’s painting has crossed many disciplines; studio painting, scenic design, mural painting, decorative arts, education, curation and community planning. For the past three decades she has been committed to the creation of public art projects that expose children and communities to art making, providing a group experience that elevates the neighborhoods aesthetic understanding. Recently awarded “Arts & Culture: Connecting Communities to the Arts” (2013) from the University of Chicago and the South East Commission, recognizing her outstanding work and committed service. In addition, her Decorative Arts Studio has been creating largescale custom painted walls and canvas’ for private clients for over twenty years.

Visit their Website

Portrait by Devina Yoestong

Previous Residency

Bob Thall & Carl Schurz High School

Next Residency

Doug Fogelson & Roberto Clemente Community Academy

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