Public Mural Program

The Deerfield Fine Arts Commission has installed two new murals by Deerfield High School students Alexandra Schott and Armin “AJ” Paliev on the east wall of the AT&T building in the Village Center.

Working with the Fine Arts Commission, Deerfield High School Art Teacher Mike Moran held a mural contest and used it as a way to teach students about public art. 

The murals will be on display for one year and will be replaced by other student art. AT&T donated the use of their walls.

Alexandra Schott - Memories Never Die

Alexandra Schott - Memories Never Die

Artist’s Statement:

This piece is inspired by the relationship between a girl and her dog and the progression of their relationship throughout the years. This girl and her dog are actually me and my dog, Jolie. Jolie is my best friend and we are completely inseparable. Jolie is turning ten in December and as she gets older, I become sadder that my time with her is growing shorter. However, while making this piece, I came to realize that although this feeling is completely normal, it is not what I should be thinking about. Jolie has changed my life in ways I never thought possible and she has always been the one thing that makes me feel like there are no worries in the world the moment I see and hug her. Life is too short to take your relationship with your animals for granted, and this is me making sure I cherish and remember every moment with Jolie. After the moment she takes her last breath, I will never ever forget her for the rest of my life and she will live on within my memories of her because memories never die.

Armin “AJ” Paliev - Walking Clock

Armin AJ Paliev - Walking Clock

Artist’s Statement:

To me, the ideal piece of art is one that everyone can relate to and enjoy, no matter their background or experiences. I chose a surrealist style so that anyone could look at my art and see themselves somewhere in it, due to the fluid nature of the style. Although my hope is that anyone can find meaning in my art without this statement, this isn’t to say that I didn’t have a particular meaning in mind as I created this piece.

I made this piece during a personally difficult time for myself, but also a time that was very difficult for everyone. In the foreground of my piece, there is a dreamlike scene, full of clocks. But in the background, our earth. Nothing at all different about it. When I made this piece, I felt like the whole world had stopped. Nobody could go to school or work, and everyone was at home. However, time kept moving forward, unceasingly, like a horseman walking on an abandoned railroad.