COOL SPACES: P-CEP seniors’ asphalt art is eye-popping
Popular movies, current events and mental health were among the themes used by P-CEP seniors for their painted parking spaces.
There is a mind-blowing art exhibit splashed across the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park’s three high schools’ parking lots that will make you laugh, warm your heart and confirm how much talent the school district’s seniors possess.
Each senior who reserves a parking spot for the 2023-24 school year at the sprawling campus is given the opportunity to decorate their space for a $20 fee, which is tacked on to the year-long parking permit cost of $130.
A portion of the fee goes toward parking-lot maintenance, with the balance remaining available for senior-class activities.
Students are required to submit a sketch of their parking-space design for approval. Artwork depicting items, symbols, or language deemed inappropriate by P-CEP administration will not be permitted, according to the parking permit consent form.
To make it easier for next’s year’s batch of asphalt artists to begin with a clean slate, so to speak, parking-space artists are limited to using water-based exterior latex paint and sidewalk chalk to create their masterpieces.
A parking painting party (say that real fast 10 times) was held Aug. 31.
Thought-provoking art
The spaces are colorful, humorous and heart-warming — while serving as a reflection of current trends, entertainment and seniors’ ambitions for their final year of K-12 schooling and beyond.
For instance, one pink-and-white space near Canton High School reads: Come On Barbie, Let’s Go Graduate 2ENIOR YE4R.
One space in the parking lot just south of Plymouth High School reads: you matter: it’s okay to not be OK — extra powerful considering members of the Class of ’24 were freshmen in 2020 when virtual schooling created isolation that bred mental health issues.
The funniest — at least in this author’s opinion — space was repeated a few times in each of the three schools’ parking lots: If you’re reading this, I’m late.
Side-by-side coolness
One side-by-side work of art has the word SENIOR flowing across both spaces with happy faces centered on each individual space — simple, but appealing.
There are throwback-themed masterpieces as well.
Painted on a Canton High School space is a name tag that reads “Hello My name is Earl” an ode to a television series that ran from 2005-2009, when the senior who created it was just a toddler.
There are several spaces dedicated to the artists’ musical tastes — or just music in general — as one with a giant Spotify logo accompanied by the words CLASS OF 2024 exemplifies.
A more specific musical work of art depicts an iPhone screen with a playlist selection showing “Bound 2 Graduate” by Kanye West.
And an automotive-themed drawing includes a BMW logo with the space’s renter’s name LIZ replacing BMW.
Sky is the limit
Among the more awe-inspiring paintings is one that depicts three jets emerging from a cloud that is decorated with the words: SOAR INTO 2024.
The collection of artwork is worth checking out during non-school hours.
It’s bound to make you smile and — in some cases — provoke deep thoughts.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
