Photo Credit: CFISDBusiness
Cy Ranch art students create mural for Space City Orthodontics office
Cypress Ranch High School seniors Bitian Binoj, Chloe Nillas and Elena Trevino created an original art mural for Space City Orthodontics’ office located in the Bridgeland master planned community. Binoj, Nillas and Trevino, along with their advanced art teacher, Jennifer McKnight, attended a reveal ceremony on April 17.
Dr. Vijay Bhagia, an orthodontist with Space City Orthodontics, and his team reached out to Cypress Ranch, which is located across the street from the office, about creating a mural. They hoped it would not only serve as a photo backdrop for patients and community members, but as a piece to commemorate the business being part of the Cypress community.
“I enjoy art in general and I think art commemorates an era, a feeling, better than any other medium,” Dr. Bhagia said. “We had envisioned having a mural for people to take pictures in front of and we’ve seen the art that is produced by our local art students, and we wanted this mural to come from the community.”
The mural, which was created entirely by Binoj, Nillas and Trevino, features bright colors, a path leading to the downtown Houston skyline and a smiley face sun with braces. It also includes the street sign “Fry Road,” which is where Space City Orthodontics is located. It took the team approximately 24-30 hours to complete.
“When Ms. McKnight brought this project to us, we were super excited about the opportunity,” Binoj said. “Seeing our work outside of school is different, but a good type of different. None of my work has ever been publicized in this way and this mural is a different style of art than what I’m used to, but I’m super grateful for this opportunity.”
Following the reveal, Dr. Bhagia presented a $1,500 check – a $500 scholarship for each student artist – as a surprise gift.
“When the students initially were approached, they were not aware nor did they work with the idea of earning something, but it was important for me to acknowledge their work,” Dr. Bhagia said. “The best way I could think of was to give them some financial support as they start their college careers.”
McKnight selected Binoj, Nillas and Trevino for the project based on their work ethic and ability to collaborate.
“These girls gained an experience that not every art student gets an opportunity to do,” McKnight said. “This also furthered their art education. They rose to the occasion and went above and beyond. I knew they had it in them, but they wowed me.”
Source: CFISD
