Albuquerque Public Schools
MHES Courtyard Comes Alive with Words and Art
Nearly 200 students at Marie M. Hughes Elementary collaborated on a stunning banner installation celebrating language, creativity and community.
At Marie M. Hughes Elementary School, nearly 200 students from kindergarten through fifth grade have spent the year immersed in a one-of-a-kind art experience—one that not only expanded their vocabulary but also transformed their school’s courtyard into a vibrant celebration of words and expression.
Led by first grade teacher and local artist Andy Young, this year-long project invited students across twelve classrooms to explore how fine art can deepen learning and connect communities. Inspired by three renowned artists—Adam Pendleton, Ed Ruscha and Jenny Holzer—students created original works that use words as both message and medium.
“We've been working on the project all year,” Young said. “There were three smaller art projects leading up to this Big Project.”
Those early efforts included graffiti-style poetry inspired by Pendleton, scrolling LED displays in the cafeteria showcasing “I am from...” poems, and a field trip where students photographed compelling signage around town. Those photos were later assembled into a large-scale hallway montage.
The culmination of their work took shape in the school courtyard: a bold, immersive installation featuring 200 student-designed banners, each measuring 2 feet by 6 feet. Every banner displays a unique vocabulary word chosen from a list of 100 “really big and cool” words, paired with student illustrations that reflect each word’s meaning. Mounted on frames and set into motion by the wind, the banners will create what Young describes as a “symphony of language and art.”
The project was inspired by The Gates, an iconic 2005 installation by artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude in New York City’s Central Park. But the heart of the project is rooted in Young’s background in Project-Based Learning and his desire to combine academic learning with the power of visual art.
“I started doing these projects when I was at Navajo Elementary,” he said. “But I didn't start inviting other colleagues to join until I got to Marie Hughes. Each year we pick a different topic and study new artists for inspiration.”
The project has grown significantly—last year, 80 students participated; this year, the number tripled to 240. Support from an APS Education Foundation mini grant helped make the expansion possible.
Young said the goals were clear: “First, to gain an appreciation for advanced vocabulary and a joy in fun, big words; second, to understand that art isn't just about realistic drawing—it can be collaborative, immersive and connected to a community; and third, to experience a project that connected grade levels and made school more fun to attend.”
That joy and connection have been evident throughout the process.
“A first grader came to me at recess asking, ‘Have you seen bellicose? My word was bellicose. I drew people fighting.’ I saw two kindergarteners beside a banner, one pointing excitedly and saying, ‘That’s my word!’” said Young.
He’s also witnessed families getting involved.
“I’ve seen kids pulling their parents into the courtyard to show them their word and take pictures,” Young added. “That tells me they really internalized what they learned—and that they’re proud.”
While the banner installation initially animated the courtyard, the plan is to move the banners indoors to be displayed in the school hallway permanently. That way, students will be reminded of their hard work, creativity and shared accomplishment for years to come.
As the largest collaborative project ever undertaken at MHES, this artistic journey proves how the intersection of language and visual expression can empower students, strengthen school community and make learning unforgettable.