The School has partnered once again with Artists for Humanity (AFH)—a non-profit Boston organization which aims to provide jobs and resources for teenage artists in the city—to embark on a unique project: repurposing the Thompson Gymnasium floor into a sculptural installation that chronicles the institution’s growth over the past five decades since the gym was initially built.
Since 2019, Juniors and Seniors at the School have been going to AFH each year to design and build an innovative project focused on enhancing the school campus.
This year, Director of Innovation and Design Kathryn Lee wanted to draw inspiration from the biggest event happening on campus right now, the demolition and reconstruction of the gym.
Built in 1972, the Thompson Gymnasium has been a significant part of school culture, and Ms. Lee wanted to give the 13 students participating in the co-lab this year an opportunity to create something with AFH which reflects the growth and development of the student population over the many years it had been standing.
Using planks of wood which have been dyed green after extended coloration, this year’s project will be a sculpture designed to be displayed in the new Recreation and Wellness Center, currently under construction as part of the school’s “Building Our Tomorrow” campaign.
“Essentially, what we did was shaving off parts of residue that was on the wood, and we glued the pieces of wood together to form the base,” Junior Livvy Avignon ’26 said.
Each plank will signify a year, and the length equates to the School’s population at that time. Both the dyed face and the bare underside will be displayed, creating a dual-toned effect.
Students met during weekly lunch periods starting in December, and the seniors in the program have been going to AFH’s physical space during their senior project time.
Seniors in the program have the option of making this their senior project, while Juniors are able to get a first opportunity to pursuit art and design in a new environment.
Giulia Laurenza ‘25, a senior in the program said, “It’s just so incredibly cool just to be there and have our own space and be coached and taught by these people who are so very passionate about what they do.”
The juniors in the program also joined the 12th grade on a day long field trip on May 13 so they can have the opportunity to contribute to construction as well.
“We got a bit of a tour first,” Avignon said, “which was very fun because they have so many resources over there, which obviously helps a lot.”
AFH provides the School’s upperclassmen the opportunity to pursue innovation and design with independent artists outside of the what the school could provide alone.
It also gears its education towards the entrepreneurial side of art, teaching young designers. valuable skills for working in a professional field. The school acts as a client commissioning art for their community.
“Our AFH Design Teams work together on an entrepreneurial endeavor that asks them to creatively solve a problem, designing and constructing a unique solution while leaving a lasting mark on our community for years to come,” Lee said.
Editor’s Note: Livvy Avignon ’26 is also the Chief Illustrator of The Gator.
