A small private school in Woodbury is moving ahead with its plans to create a giant mural depicting the history of the city even though its application for a grant to cover the cost has been turned down.

Footprints Academy on Tamarack Road was hoping to secure a Crayola Foundation Grant to pay for part of the project, in which students will research various aspects of Woodbury's history from the time settlers first arrived in the 1840s to today. They will then use what they found to compose poetry and produce artwork that will be incorporated into a giant mural covering a large portion of a wall in the school's gymnasium.

The Crayola grant would have covered $2,500 of the $5,300 budgeted for the endeavor. Without the grant, school founder Nikki Robbins said she will explore alternate sources of funding by applying for other grants and looking for corporate sponsors. She has hired Interiors of Stillwater to work with students and teachers to design the mural, and last week made the first down payment.

"We are moving forward," Robbins said.

Plans for the mural have been in place since last year, when Robbins got the idea after seeing a mural depicting the history of Hudson, Wis., painted on the wall of a new middle school there. Robbins said she hopes it will serve as a place where residents can come and learn about the history of Woodbury.

The school's 83 students in grades K-6 have been learning about the history of the St. Croix River's logging and farming in their lessons.

"In social studies, we try to encourage the teachers to put local lore in it," said muralist Peg Malanaphy, owner of Interiors of Stillwater. The idea is to help students "learn about the history of the land around them."

Robbins said some lessons might involve students interviewing farmers in the area or visiting nursing homes to talk with older residents to learn first-hand some of the local history.

The design of the mural is still unfolding and eventually might include ideas put forth by members of the community. It also will feature core values of the school's mission, which seeks to produce "successful learners who will be ethical and decent people," Robbins said.

Crayola didn't leave the school totally empty-handed. Along with a letter explaining that its application was turned down "due to high competition," the foundation promised to send crayons and paints to the school as a thank-you for its application, Robbins said.

The mural is set to be completed around May 1 at the school, located at 9025 Tamarack Road.

Tim Harlow • 651-735-1824
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