The DCD campus has come alive with vibrant color, thanks to artist and alum Jordan Barros ’10, who has transformed the Primary Gym exterior wall with a beautiful mural! Jordan graduated from Boston College in ’19 with a degree in studio art, and has been making a name for himself in the art world with his murals. Jordan came to speak to DCD students, faculty, staff, and parents at morning assembly this past Friday to talk about his work as an artist, and to share his inspiration for the mural he created for DCD.

Jordan began by sharing how great it’s been to be back at DCD; that as a student he learned so many wonderful things, and he has gotten to learn so much more as a grown man! In presenting his mural, Jordan expressed that it speaks to how special DCD is, and how it feels so fitting to be able to give back, after all that DCD gave to him during his time as a student.

Prior to creating his work of art, Jordan wanted to learn what the DCD community felt was important and special about the school, and he then combined those elements with the things he felt were vibrant at DCD, ultimately focusing on our three main pillars: academics, arts, and athletics. He explained that his mural is up for interpretation and has a flow of many different things— but as he remembers clearly how perfectly arts, academics, and athletics flow together at DCD, this became the main theme that he wanted to present.

Jordan explained that as an artist, he is always practicing, and that he draws and paints a lot! He went on to share that for this mural, he had to draw on a large scale on the gym wall, in all sorts of different conditions—sometimes it was very exciting and loud during recess, and other times it was very peaceful and reflective. He used street chalk and free handed his drawing while holding his iPad, which he said could be a challenge, and shared with students that if they look closely they will see smudges, emphasizing that it’s not perfect, stating, ”I am just like all of you, just older!”

Jordan shared photographs on his work while it was in process, calling out details that were important to him—how clouds symbolize lightness, and how he likes to bring new things to new places. He pointed out a large figure seen playing with a small figure, sharing that as a student, he was three years older than his younger brother, and wanted to capture the great importance that DCD places on older students helping to guide younger students.

He went on to express that his mural was a lot of work (as well as a workout!), emphasizing that it took 53 hours to complete, at which point the audience broke out into great applause. In reflecting on his work and the time he spent at DCD painting, he shared that so many people came by to talk and ask questions, and in his words, “the most common thing people said was ‘thank you’—and I am so grateful for that, and I am so happy to be able to contribute to this special place.”

Considering the students before him, Barros left them with this important reminder: “It’s important to find something that you lose track of time in doing– if you have something that you like to do that feels good, keep doing it! When people tell you that you are good at something, listen to them, and follow what feels good in your heart!” Lastly, Jordan shared a painting that he made of his family, and explained that he felt it was incredibly fitting that he came back to paint at DCD, ”because you are my family!”

DCD is so grateful to Jordan for gifting the school with such a meaningful and tremendous work of art that encompasses all that is special at DCD! Thank you, Jordan!