Earth Day 2026 School Mural Painted by 400+ Students in Cherry Creek Public Schools

Mural outline created by Corbin Hillam (grandfather of 5th grade student)

A garden feeds the body. A mural feeds the soul.

While the outdoor crew was building raised beds and hauling compost to build the new community garden, along the exterior walls of Ponderosa Elementary’s playground, something equally powerful was taking shape. Every student, from the very youngest kindergartners to the fifth graders preparing for middle school, picked up a brush and became an artist.

Grandpa of a 5th grader at Ponderosa and local muralist, Corbin Hillam, sketched out a long and beautiful outline that was to transform the vibration of the school's playground. Stretching almost 80 yards, the walls required a lot of teamwork to design and sketch. All kindergartners helped prime the walls (and miraculously didn't drop any paint!), then the 1st through 4th graders painted the backgrounds and larger items. Finally, the 5th graders each were given a square to paint their favorite Colorado flower.

The result is a sweeping, vivid mural that stretches across the school's walls serving as a living visual diary of what Ponderosa students care about, dream about, and want to protect. Soaring Rocky Mountain peaks. Flowing rivers. Native Colorado wildflowers. Animals fly and swim across surfaces that used to be blank.

Every single student at Ponderosa can walk past those walls and point to something they made. That kind of ownership and pride in Place is exactly what we want every child in Colorado to feel about the natural world around them.

Watch our short video about the Mural Creation Process at Ponderosa Elementary

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Meet the Muralist:

Muralist Corbin Hillam

Corbin Hillam

Corbin Hillam has been an illustrator for over 35 years. His drawings have appeared in over 200 books, mostly for children. He has been painting public murals since 2006. He works in both chalk and paint, indoors and outdoors.

Corbin's books are mostly in the area of educational publishing, both secular and religious. He has written and illustrated three of his own books for children. His murals have appeared in elementary and middle schools, climbing gyms, and private homes. He also specializes in outdoor chalk murals. His clients include Pioneers Museum, EpiCentral Workspace, Colorado College, Mountain Chalet, and City Rock Climbing Gym.

Visit Corbin's Website to learn more about her: https://www.corbinhillamdesign.com/