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CHELMSFORD, Massachusetts (March 27, 2026) – Boston-based artist Bren Bataclan spent the week of March 16-20 working on a very special mural at Harrington Elementary School in Chelmsford.

“The mural residency is a weeklong,” Bataclan said, explaining how the process begins. “The school and I – the principal, the PTO – we finalize some things. Then I suggest a list of items for each class to draw. So, pretty much, all the students are involved.”

On Monday, March 16, Bataclan hosted two assemblies at the school, discussing his work and asking each student to create some drawings focused on the theme of kindness.

“I showed the kids a slideshow about kindness, I shared samples from canvases and murals, and then I showed them how to draw my characters,” he said. “My characters are really easy to mimic, so almost everyone feels empowered to create their own version.”

Bataclan then collected everyone’s drawings and got to work designing the mural, doing his best to incorporate as many of the students’ ideas as possible.

Students at Harrington Elementary School create drawings during an assembly with artist Bren Bataclan on Monday, March 16, 2026.

On Tuesday, Bataclan began sketching out all of the characters on the freshly-primed wall.

“I first start with a pencil and then I paint the black outlines,” he said. “So, at the end of the day Tuesday, this looked like a page from a giant coloring book.”

The children weren’t the only ones to help out, as several staff members were invited to pick up a brush and add some color to the mural.

“On Wednesday and Thursday, I painted the colors, along with maybe 30 adults – parents, teachers and staff,” he explained. “Then, I repainted the black outlines.”

The mural was unveiled during a special ceremony on Friday, March 20.

Each class was allowed to tour the new mural, walking through the hallway, single file, to admire the artwork they inspired.

While passing by, several children recognized and pointed to the elements they helped create that will now be a permanent fixture in the school.

“It’s great,” Bataclan said of seeing the children’s faces light up as they viewed the mural. “[My favorite part is] when kids claim that it’s theirs, and they say positive things about it.”

A couple groups of students were especially delighted that a box of Cheez-It crackers was included in the final design.

Following the tours, Bataclan signed the piece, making the installation officially complete.

Jackie Ringland, co-president of the Harrington PTO, attended the unveiling and was one of the adults who helped paint on Thursday.

“I think it’s so beautiful and it adds so much,” she said. “I’m so grateful that we were able to do this.”

Ringland said she has enjoyed seeing the reactions and witnessing the gratitude from the students.

“It has been great hearing the oohs and the aahs,” she said, adding that several of the students stopped to thank Bataclan on their way to lunch. “They told him how amazing the mural was, and it just melted my heart. It was so nice to hear.”

To learn more about Bataclan and his artwork, please visit https://bataclan.com.

About Chelmsford Public Schools

The Chelmsford Public School District provides all students with multiple pathways to optimize their own potential for academic excellence, leadership, and social and emotional wellness. The mission of the Chelmsford Public Schools is to educate, engage, prepare, and empower well-rounded and knowledgeable learners to PERSEVERE through challenges, demonstrate RESPECT and INTEGRITY in their words and actions, are DEDICATED to their community, and display EMPATHY as global citizens while discovering and pursuing their full potential. This PRIDE-driven culture enables all members of the school community to support the growth and development of students. For more information, please visit www.chelmsfordschools.org.