Artwork brightens up dull spaces and can give us the important mental health break we all need. Therefore art in public spaces – such as schools – is very important. Maverick Collins, who started his junior year at Black Hills High School in September 2023, spends his summer vacations bringing art to local public schools through murals. Incredibly, Maverick is colorblind.
“I am left-handed and colorblind with a strong protan deficiency, also known as the strongest type of red-green colorblindness,” Maverick shares. “I hope to use my art to inspire others to share their creativity, and to promote a fun and expressive way in doing so. Being able to paint my murals in these schools is allowing me to do just that.”
Maverick Collins Art
“Art has always been a passion of mine, and I have been drawing ever since I could hold a crayon,” shares Maverick. Other than art, he loves English classes as well because he loves the creative freedom of writing.
Although you may suspect painting is his favorite medium, Maverick says he actually loves inkwork. “I am a sucker for crisp line art and very clean black and white pieces,” he explains.
Maverick is hoping to attend an art college or a university that has a good art program. He is currently part of the South Puget Sound Community College’s Running Start Program.
Painting Murals at Olympia Schools
During his eighth-grade year, Maverick learned about Ten Hundred, an artist who paints murals around the world. Then, Nick Rekdal, the former vice-principal of Tumwater Middle School, came to him with the idea of painting a mural at the school. “I immediately fell in love with the entire process of putting together and painting murals,” explains Maverick.
After his first mural, Maverick wanted to do more. His brother Liam Collins, put him in touch with Elliot Hedin, Michael T. Simmons Elementary’s principal at the time. Hedin accepted Maverick’s offer to paint a mural there as well. Black Lake Elementary Principal Misty Hinkle then reached out to Maverick after seeing the one he did for Simmons Elementary.
Maverick spends his summer vacation painting the murals, and does so gladly. The Tumwater Middle School mural took around 102.5 hours for him to paint. The one at Simmons took about 67.5 hours and the Black Lake Elementary mural took 150 hours, from design to completion. His artwork includes bold colors – despite his colorblindness; simple subject matter that reflects the Pacific Northwest, like mountains, trees and wolves; and geometric designs. It’s easy to get lost looking at them.
“The murals this student has painted carry messages of unity, creativity, and positivity,” shares Stephanie Johnson, Maverick’s mother. “They have managed to transform the atmosphere of our public schools, creating a space where students can be inspired, motivated, and proud of their learning environment.”
Maverick’s next work of art will be at his own school, Black West Hills High School. Littlerock Elementary School has also expressed interest in having one of his original works of art on their walls.
It may seem like a little thing, but Maverick Collins is brightening the hallways of local schools with just a paint brush and his creativity. It doesn’t take much to make a difference and anyone can do it. That’s really what his art is all about.
