Student artists from Pilgrim High School painted bright colors onto the exterior side wall of Johnny’s Chalet restaurant on Post Road. Led by their advisor, Pilgrim art teacher Susan Root, the artists created a “window” into the restaurant.

The idea of the project began when Johnny Xynellis, owner of Johnny’s Chalet, arrived one day to see that the side of the restaurant had been vandalized with graffiti. He instantly thought that a mural would be more attractive to customers. Specifically, he imagined a design that depicted the interior space of the restaurant. And Root added in the idea of shutters to make the mural truly feel like a window into Johnny’s Chalet.

“I’ve heard that this place is deceiving. People can’t tell how big it is on the outside,” Xynellis said. He explained how customers are always shocked to see how spacious the interior of the restaurant is, and he hopes that the mural will better reflect its true size.

“If you showed this to people and said that a bunch of 15-, 16- and 17-year-olds did this, you wouldn’t believe them,” Root said. The student artists are all members of the PHS chapter of the National Art Honor Society.

 Students, starting in 10^th grade, must be in good academic standing and individually selected by art teachers at the school to be inducted into the chapter. Once inducted, students need to obtain 10 hours of art-related community service. The PHS chapter originated two years ago, and this academic year had 21 members.

Cameron Gavitt, a rising PHS senior, is president and an original member of the chapter. In addition to art, she is interested in the sciences and will be creating a senior project on astronomy this coming school year. “It’s been amazing to see people stop and ask us questions about our project while we’re working,” she said. “Someone even stopped to take a picture with [the mural]!”

“Honestly I think it’s already attracted people,” Xynellis said. “People have stopped to look at it and grab a coffee or a breakfast sandwich.”

Xynellis, a PHS graduate in the Class of 1993, contacted the school in October to ask if there was a group of students willing or able to take on the project. After a few months of silence, the administration gave the green light for the Art Honor Society to get to work.

According to Root, students began painting on May 20. Much of the paint was donated to the project by PHS parents, and Johnny’s Chalet purchased the primer and sealant.

When asked what art means to them, the artists lit up with passion. “It’s very important to have art in general, but especially in a chaotic world. It’s important to stop and look at something pretty,” said Gavitt.

“It’s important to have a pop of color in the world, especially on a day like today,” said Molly Gervais, a rising junior. Gervais is participating in the art pathway at Pilgrim and will graduate with a special recognition on her diploma.

The outdoor project has been moving slower than anticipated due to frequent rain this month. But with students working four days a week, it is still on track to be finished by the end of June.

“I don’t want any recognition for this,” said Xynellis. “It’s all them. I just have the wall. They’ve been doing a great job, and we love it.”