CUTLER BAY, Fla. – A group of talented and creative students are keeping with a long-standing tradition of brightening the hallways of their South Florida high school.
Recommended Videos
The murals painted in the hallways of Cutler Bay Senior High School continue to be vibrant and creative, thanks to the students and their Art Instructor, Jonathan Pedigo.
“Our Bay Walls are the heartbeat of our school and a vibrant reflection of who we are and what we stand for. They echo our shared values, our struggles, our dreams, while celebrating history, diversity, empathy, and belonging. These works of art remind us that our halls are not just places we pass through, but spaces where identity, creativity, and collaboration come alive,” said Lucas J. De La Torre, Principal, Cutler Bay Senior High.
Pedigo said the work, started by the school’s retired art teacher Mr. Gabriel, is more than just a decoration, it’s a learning experience that pays homage to legendary artists like Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, O’Keeffe, Frida Kahlo, Warhol, and Basquiat.
“These murals are a testament to our students’ talent and passion, and they serve as a source of inspiration for all who walk these halls,” said Pedigo.
Students are given the creative license to combine technical skill and inspiration from classic artists with their own twist.
Seniors and twin sisters Giselle and Gabriela Alonso went full steam ahead with their contribution to the murals, including their love of Disney and melding their idea with Van Gogh’s Starry Night.
“We’ve always loved Disney, especially the charm of classic black-and-white animation. But we also believe that life isn’t just black and white—there’s always room for color and creativity. By blending Van Gogh’s Starry Night with Steamboat Willie, we wanted to show how imagination can bring even the past to life in a vivid and meaningful way,” said Giselle and Gabriela Alonso.
Pedigo works alongside his students teaching and mentoring as the school’s art director. He was also named the Dade Art Educators Association New Professional Art Teacher of the Year and the school’s rookie teacher of the year.
“Making murals with friends at school gave me something to look forward to and it’s a fun way to leave our mark after we graduate,” said Jocelyn Sanchez, a senior at Cutler Bay Senior High.
His students have shared their creativity and skill in several projects across South Florida which include murals at Zoo Miami, where they teamed up with local artist Luis Valle.
“Working on my mural through Cutler Bay Senior High made me realize I was capable of more than I ever thought. I didn’t have much art experience and honestly didn’t think I could pull something like this off but my teacher, Mr. Pedigo, believed in me, and that made a huge difference. I’m really proud of what I created, and it feels amazing to leave something behind at my school that I put my heart into,” said Marla Mayo, a senior at Cutler Bay Senior High.
Their work most recently graced the walls of the Biscayne Bay Dante Faschel Visitor Center at Biscayne National Park in Homestead with “Playful Currents: Life on Biscayne Bay Unveiled.”
The gallery is usually reserved only for professional artists. The artwork was created exclusively by CBSH students and Pedigo.
Artist panels are also held at the school’s auditorium often and they feature local artists.
“We are not an art magnet, but you’d never know looking at the amazing work these students produce. Our school produces over a dozen new murals inside our school halls each year, taking months to complete in conjunction with rigorous school studies. I am very proud of our talented students and their beautiful artwork,” said Pedigo.
Pedigo takes pride in being an art instructor and he’s also well-known in the South Florida art community. Pedigo has sold work around the globe, shown in galleries across South Florida, and teamed up with brands like Local Drip MIA and TRAUST Brewing Company.
For more information about Pedigo, click on this link.