THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2026 Page 7 MURAL | FROM Page 2 ing that message in communities across the country. The project off ers fi ve affi rmations intended to encourage and uplift people: “You are loved,” “You are needed,” “You are beautiful,” “You are important,” and “You can do it.” Of those messages, Cook said “You Are Loved” is by far the most frequently requested, accounting for approximately 88% of the projects. During an interview at Beachmont as the mural was taking shape, Cook explained that his work is rooted in the belief that public art can infl uence how people think about themselves and their place in the world. “Art is a way of focusing people’s thoughts in an inspiring way, especially when you put it in a public place and do it in a powerful way,” Cook said. He explained that the combination of large-scale lettering, vibrant colors, and a deeply personal message creates an experience that can resonate with people long after the paint has dried. The artwork, he said, is intended to capture someone’s attention visually before revealing its deeper meaning. “People maybe haven’t been told what it says, and they fi rst just see the colors, and they’re like, ‘Wow, it’s cool,’ and then they’re walking back, and they’re like, ‘Oh my God, it like says something,’” Cook explained. Cook believes the impact of such messages can be particularly meaningful in schools, where students are developing their identities, building relationships, and learning how they fi t into their communities. “The whole project grows out of my sense of the power of having a voice in your corner,” he said. For Cook, placing a mural on the side of a school carries signifi cance that extends beyond public art. He believes the decision to invest in a permanent, highly visible message of encouragement communicates something important about the values of the institution itself. “I think it’s a huge part of creating culture,” Cook said. “If you grow up in a school with a mural on the wall that says, 12 feet high, ‘You Are Loved,’ you can never say that there was nothing supportive in your life.” Cook also highlighted the link between public art and mental health, saying that it helps children and adults alike be reminded that they are valued. For Beachmont, that philosophy corresponds to the school’s mission to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for students and families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. The completed design is intended to incorporate the message “You Are Loved” in several languages spoken within the school community, including Portuguese, Spanish, and Arabic, along with Italian in recognition of the Beachmont neighborhood’s cultural history. The multilingual messages include “Você é amado,” “Eres amado,” “ ,” and “Sei amato.” Lockerbie said incorporating these languages was an important part of ensuring that the mural refl ects the families who make up the Beachmont community. One of the most meaningful aspects of the project was the opportunity for Beachmont’s fi fth graders to participate in creating the mural. Rather than having Cook complete the entire piece independently, students helped paint sections of the artwork under his direction. Cook prepared the design in advance, outlining the large lettering and geometric patterns before students began painting. Using brushes, paint cups, and assigned sections, the students contributed to an artwork that will remain part of their school long after they have moved on to middle school. That hands-on experience was central to the project’s vision, allowing students to work together while taking ownership of a permanent addition to their school. MURAL | SEE Page 9 Beachmont fi fth graders are shown with teachers, including the artists Alex Cook during the painting of the mural on the Beachmont School.
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