First BMS Art Club Helps Artist and Former Student Jenny Starkey Reed Create Inspirational Paintings on Locker Room Walls
By Julie Perine on December 16, 2017 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
The newly-formed Bridgeport Middle School Art Club, the GFWC Bridgeport Junior Woman’s Club and local artist, Jenny Starkey-Reed have 
teamed up for a very inspirational paint job.
Inside the BMS boys’ and girls’ locker rooms are signature red and blue murals and messages of inspiration; a project which combined thoughts of all players involved.
It all began when Reed was approached about possibly painting some positive quotes in one of the BMS bathrooms. Members of THE GFWC Bridgeport Junior Woman’s Club had seen a post on social media where another school had completed such a project and the group was willing to pay for supplies.
Principal Dave Mazza was contacted, asking what he thought of the idea. He said he liked the concept, but also a twist on the idea that would enable the artwork to be seen by more students.
“I think it’s always important to send out good, positive messages, but wanted them to paint the locker rooms, so everyone would get to see them, not only our students, but also basketball teams from other schools and other visitors,” he said.
Reed said she was willing to do the artwork, but she had a better idea, too; one inspired by a former BMS teacher.
“When (BMS) first opened, I was an eighth grade student there and I helped the art teacher, Mrs. Carr, paint the gym floor," she said. "I thought it was a big deal to be asked by a teacher to do something big like that. She was the art teacher there for a long time, but unfortunately passed away from cancer. She was one of those teachers who everyone thought was so great and so positive. I came up with the idea of making the project more of a personal thing by calling it the Carr Project.”
To carry out the Carr Project, Reed would work with current eighth 
grade art students. She asked the current art teacher, Joshua Toothman, to connect her with some students. He said he chose those students, not necessarily on ability, but on their interest to take their art outside of the classroom. A group of students had approached him early in the school year, inquiring about the formation of a BMS Art Club; an idea which had carried over from the previous school year. Toothman was convinced that the students were persistent and serious about their quest and thereafter told him he would serve as faculty advisor for the club.
grade art students. She asked the current art teacher, Joshua Toothman, to connect her with some students. He said he chose those students, not necessarily on ability, but on their interest to take their art outside of the classroom. A group of students had approached him early in the school year, inquiring about the formation of a BMS Art Club; an idea which had carried over from the previous school year. Toothman was convinced that the students were persistent and serious about their quest and thereafter told him he would serve as faculty advisor for the club.
“So when Jenny came to me about this project, I already had some students who were interested in contributing art outside of what they do in the classroom and knew they would be the ones to do it,” he said.
Toothman agreed that being asked to help with a project of this multitude was a good self-confidence booster.
“It’s good for the students to work together as a group, rather than individually – which is usually what they do. Doing a project in which they open up with other people and their ideas is good. It’s good for them to think that way,” he said. “And I explained to them that they would be leaving behind artwork that would be seen for several years; that it would be a long-lasting project, giving them more incentive to have pride in their work and try even harder than they usually would have.”
The project carried a "BMS Braves" theme, inspiring students to be brave. For the girls, the messages also revolved around beauty and cleverly, some were painted backwards so they could be read when the girls looked into the mirror. Messages in the boys' locker room have a comic book style and include quotes about heroism.
Jenny Russell and Holly Tran are two of the eighth grade students that worked on the project with Reed. They both said they take pride and ownership in the artwork which resulted and they hope the messages inspire all the students who see them.
“I think it’s important to give them confidence – a boost before games and during gym class,” Russell said. “This is the first year for our art club and it’s nice to have something in place – someplace the arts kids can go and help out.”
Tran said she was excited to hear that the project may be an annual one.
“Apparently, we are starting at tradition now,” she said.
Other areas of the school could see some creative paint jobs in the future and Reed said it could even expand to other Harrison County schools.
Editor's Note: Images are courtesy of Jenny Starkey Reed. See more at the photo gallery below.
