Artwork > Community Mural Projects > Youth Projects > Summer Camps
Masa, 2011
Camp Ramah, Palmer
I had the honor of being a visiting artist for a week at Camp Ramah in Palmer, MA in the summer of 2011. I led two groups of campers in the design and painting of a 28 foot wide, 8 foot high mural inspired by the camp's theme of "Masa" (Hebrew for Journey). In five short but very intense days, the campers managed to create a beautiful mural that is now installed at the entrance of the camp to be enjoyed for many years to come.
**Note: this mural is a Pokemon Go Stop! I’ve officially hit the big time!
Here is a description of the mural in their own words:
"As three campers drift off to sleep, their journey or 'Masa' begins as the map they are reading comes to life. Behind them are camp bunks and the life cycle of a tree. This represents how our surroundings mature as we do throughout our Ramah experience. The first leg of the campers’ dream journey is backpacking, an activity in which we partake on Etgar, our camping trip. They are traveling on a path, similar to the birds migrating on their journey above. They are also playing Frisbee in a field, a popular camp activity.
The next panel shows the campers rock climbing up a waterfall, reminiscent of our rock wall at camp, and symbolizing that in every journey there will be challenges that we need to overcome. If you look closely you might be able to see a Hebrew letter hidden in the rocks. Combined with the letters hidden in the mountain and the sunset, the Hebrew word Masa is spelled out, the theme of our mural. Before day blends into night, the campers participate in another activity that we do on Etgar- canoeing, one of our favorites. On the canoe, one camper peers through a telescope representing discovery on our journey.
The next panel sports a scene that is dear to nearly everyone at camp – Havdallah in the grove. Look for the hidden symbols! From the grove waft music notes and words that are the Shir Ramah camp song. Also in the mountains are the words to Tefillat HaDerech, the prayer for traveling. The wafting music notes drift to the heavens where the three campers plant an Israeli and American flag on the top of a mountain representing our dedication to Israel. The footprints in the sand lead to the campers setting up camp and enjoying each other’s company around a bonfire. They look to the stars and see remarkably real constellations copied directly from the vivid Ramah sky.
In the final panel, train tracks cut the scene because most people think about the train tracks as being the entrance or exit to camp. As the sun rises, the car of campers on the road are preparing to embark on their next journey in the real world, inspired by all of their journeys at camp. The 'welcome home' sign is exactly how we feel when we come to camp and it will always feel like home even after our many future journeys."
Many thanks to Emily, Roni, Rebecca, Eliana, Elisheva, Gabriela, Sally W., Daniel, Mia, Galia, Arielle, Ruth, Ezra, Matt, Rutie, Sally K., for all of your hard work on this project. Here's what some of them had to say once their work was done:
What was the most enjoyable part of this project?
• I really liked how relaxing it was to paint and how we worked as a group to create something beautiful.
• Everyone having input into the design of the mural.
• The most enjoyable part of this project was seeing the work I accomplished.
What (if anything) did you learn from the mural process that you didn’t know before?
• I learned that through a painting project like this you can meet new people and form new friendships.
• I learned about the long, hard, but rewarding process of making a mural.
• I learned that I can paint.
What does the mural represent to you? How does it relate to your Ramah experience?
• To me the mural represents a metaphorical journey in which nearly everyone at Ramah encounters. It is a rite of passage and journey to find your Jewish identity.
• To me, the mural represents change. Every year I change at camp. The journeys I go through here have made a deep imprint on who I am today.
• The mural represents overcoming obstacles and learning from experience.
What advice would you give the next group now that you’ve been through the mural process?
• Never give up! If you make a mistake, you can always paint over it.
• Come with an open mind because you don’t know what you can contribute in the end.
• Be confident and creative. Trust yourself.