When Edgewood Highland kindergarten mom, Amy Sloane overheard some of the PTO moms complaining about the lack of progression on the school beautification project she got to thinking.

"I drew up an initial sketch and approached the PTO. This is actually a dream come true for me as I have always dreamed of painting a large mural in a public space," Sloane said.

Sloane and her husband have lived in Edgewood since 2010. She is a native of East Greenwich.

"I went to Our Lady of Mercy Elementary School, Prout for junior High and East Greenwich High School.  When I was 12 years old my parents let me paint a mural on one wall of my bedroom. I took art lessons in the summers at various places and used to dance at Kingstown Dance and Gymnastics, which is now the Talent Factory. Then I went to Boston University where I continued to dance and got a BS in photojournalism.

I worked at the Narragansett times for about six months, then a few administrative jobs after college and have slowly made myself a living as an artist. My high school art teacher told me I should go to art school. Turned out she was right," Sloane said.

Currently she works at Ocean State Kidz Club after school program and summer camp running their art activities.

"I have been working there for about four years and I painted the mural in their window. I also painted the window mural at the Chocolate Boutique in Cranston (245 Phenix Avenue)," she said.

For two years now, she has also been teaching painting and drawing classes on Outschool.

"My most popular class is a Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Drawing Club. I have taught over 400 students all over the world through the Outschool platform. I also sell my work online on Etsy and Teachers Pay Teachers," she added.

The PTO and Administration of Edgewood Highland have been very supportive.

"The other parents of the PTO were already ready to repaint the school themselves, so I didn’t get anything but support from them. We are about to send out fliers to the whole school community asking for their support and volunteers," she said.

Sloane, herself is volunteering her time. With the help and support of volunteer parents, community members, and if any high school students need community service hours, they will get credit for their labors.

"We only need funding for supplies. I need to check with the PTO about the status of the funding. I know one member was meeting with the Cranston City Arts Council about possible assistance," Sloane said.

The timeframe hasn’t been officially set yet, but it’s slotted to happen this summer after school finishes and to finish before school starts again in September.

The project itself is composed of quite a few ideas.

"There is a bit of everything in the mural, all with an educational or growth theme. There is lots of nature, a spaceship, a rainbow through a prism, microscopes, DNA, gears with a measuring tape and pencil, art supplies, music, sports, letters and numbers, and more. I am currently working on scaling my drawings so I can figure out how much of each color I need. The math I have had to work out for this project would make a great presentation for the kids," Sloane said.

Principal, Derek Gustafson supports the project wholeheartedly.

"I am very thankful and appreciative of all the efforts put forth by Ms. Sloan and the PTO in order to support this project as well as beautify the school building and grounds," he said.

If any community member is interested in helping, either financially or in labor, they may reach out to Sloane directly, amygraceri@gmail.com

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