What was once the heartbeat of school spirit is now becoming a work of art.
Once again, the School has partnered 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.
The project seeks to honor the old gym, which opened in 1972 and was recently demolished to make way for the new Recreation and Wellness Center.
As part of the School’s “Building Our Tomorrow” campaign, Director of Innovation and Design Kathryn Lee partnered with Artists for Humanity (AFH) to give 13 students the opportunity to create this year’s Co-Lab project—a sculpture inspired by the demolition and reconstruction of the gym.
Made from planks of wood dyed green through an extended coloration process, the piece is designed to reflect the growth and evolution of the student body over the decades. It will be installed in the new Recreation and Wellness Center, currently under construction.
Since 2019, juniors and seniors have been going to AFH each year to design and build an innovative project focused on enhancing the school campus.
“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,” 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.
“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,” Giulia Laurenza ‘25 said.
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 offers upperclassmen the chance to explore innovation and design alongside independent artists, offering experiences that go beyond what the School can provide on its own. The program also emphasizes the entrepreneurial side of art, equipping young designers with valuable skills for working in professional creative fields.
In this partnership, the School acts as a client, commissioning artwork for its 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.
