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Tucson teacher has painted murals on an elementary school's campus for nearly 20 years

Paintings from astronauts to insects, murals fill the walls of Rio Vista Elementary school

By: Faith Abercrombie

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TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Rio Vista Elementary School’s campus is filled with colorful murals painted by one of their teachers.

Andy Morales has been teaching at Rio Vista Elementary School for 24 years. He painted his first mural on the campus in 2005.

“The first thing people say is, oh your school looks different,” said Morales.

Morales said his mom always wanted him to go to art school.

“I don’t spray paint. Everything you see here is actually a paintbrush,” Morales said.

Some people think Morales is an art teacher—he teaches PreK-5, P.E. and special education.

The murals first started as a mystery to students.

“I would do it on weekends when kids wouldn’t know who did it and my teacher from high school, who’s still alive, saw my stuff on Facebook and he’s like are you painting in front of the kids?” Morales said.

Morales started painting in front of the students when he has extra time. He said he paints in between classes 20 minutes at a time.

“They’re like, I wish I could do that and I show them that they can do it. Every now and then a kid will join me holding the paint brush,” said Morales.

With paintings from astronauts to insects, the campus is covered in Morales’ murals.

“It’s something that all schools should do because it creates such a warm atmosphere,” said Rio Vista Elementary School’s principal, Mamie Spillane.

Morales has also created a memorial site that honors teachers and students who have passed away.

“I put the teachers’ names on bricks and we’ve had a couple students unfortunately who’s passed away while they were here,” said Morales.

Whether you look at a spaceship or a caterpillar, Morales hopes his art paints a smile on everyone’s face.

“I know Tucson is known for its murals and more schools should get involved in that. I know there used to be a mural class at some of the high schools, but I just think that’s important. You know, it’s an offshoot of art.”

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Faith Abercrombie is a reporter for KGUN 9. Before coming to KGUN, Faith worked as a videographer for the Phoenix Children's Hospital Foundation and as a reporter and producer on the youth suicide documentary, "Life is..." on Arizona PBS.
Share your story ideas with Faith by emailing faith.abercrombie@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, or Twitter.

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