The universe expands the moment you arrive at Calvin M. Rodwell Elementary-Middle School through the Galactic Fantasy pavement mural. Inspired by student drawings, the artwork features a rocket, a cat, a bear, and a spiral galaxy rendered in hues of blue and violet. Meteors, stars, and rockets orbit the school’s bright green entry path as cat and bear planets float about. The turquoise and light blue crosswalk stars add an interactive, playful element for students to hop from one spark to the next. The project was a collaboration between artist Rosy Sunshine and Graham projects. Over 125 students helped complete the mural during the community paint experience on PARK(ing) Day, September 18, 2026.
Baltimore City Department of Planning (DOP), Graham Projects, and Rosy Sunshine conducted an in-person Design Pop-Up at Rodwell EMS on May 21, 2026 to engage with the students. Graham Projects artists Jonathan Zoccoli and Rachel DeTone, together with lead artist Rosy Sunshine Galván, and DOP planner Danielle Bilot served as facilitators for groups of students rotating through the Pop Up. Students were introduced to the project by Rosy, and then encouraged to draw on a mixture of large group sheets and individual letter-sized sheets. Following the pop-up, another set of group drawing sheets with information about the project were set up in the Faculty Lounge in order to passively gather feedback and input from teachers and staff on their breaks.
Collectively the team heard from 45 students and 10 faculty members. Facilitators transcribed ideas that were drawn and talked about by participants then used major themes to inspire three design options. Students voted on their preferred option through the in-school digital learning platform, ultimately choosing the Galactic Fantasy design.
This project was made possible by the Baltimore City Department of Planning and District 8 Councilman Paris Gray. School organizers initially expressed an interest in creating a mural in the parking lot during their Design Collective sponsored 2025 PARK(ing) day event. DOP Greening Coordinator Danielle Bilot coordinated the project while 8th District Council Office Chief of Staff Kimberly Sauer secured the grant funding at the direction of councilman Paris Gray. Vice Principal Ryan Gholson handled school logistics with the support of Principal Krystal Cornish. DOP Planner Tarek Bolden assisted with event support. Art teacher Brittany Carr facilitated five rounds of classes participating in the event, including kindergarteners to 7th graders.
Collectively the Graham Projects team and Rosy Sunshine, along with over 125 students and teachers, used an estimated 95 gallons of high durability pavement coating products to create the 1,900 square foot pavement mural. Galactic Fantasy transforms the Rodwell EMS parking lot into a cosmic canvas that is safer for pedestrians walking to school.
Project Partners: Rodwell Elementary-Middle School, Baltimore City Department of Planning, 8th District City Council Office
Design Team: Lead Artist: Rosy Sunshine Galván, Production Artist: Jonathan Zoccoli, Art Director: Graham Coreil-Allen
Installation Team: Rosy Sunshine, Graham Coreil-Allen, Melvin Jadulang, Liam Arbeiter, Mar Braxton, Rachel DeTone, Kirsten Pamfilis, Jonathan Zoccoli, Rodwell EMS students & staff
