An Ella Fitzgerald song played in the central courtyard at Manchester High School Friday morning as the artist known as ARCY swept purple spray paint onto a giant portrait of the jazz icon.
Students watched the world-famous Wallingford native switch out cans of purple, black and gray as the 8- by 12-foot painting took shape over about eight hours. Some recognized Fitzgerald’s face immediately; others had no clue.
ARCY, also known as Ryan Christenson, donated the portrait to the school and its Performing Arts and Communications Academy.
“It’s nice to give back to these kids,” he said during a short break, a respirator pushed onto his forehead.
The Manchester appearance launched ARCY Live! — the artist’s tour of the U.S. and Canada, with an appearance in Glastonbury set for June 16. ARCY said he has been asked to paint a Connecticut native, a historical figure, in Glastonbury.
The artist (arcyofficial.com) is known for his large, realistic murals. His clients have included the Smithsonian Institution, Major League Baseball and the National Parks Service. He is currently working as a Disney Fine Artist, according to his website.
ARCY was lured to Manchester High by Aubrey Levesque, a volunteer with the Greater Hartford Arts Council, and Amanda Navarra, an instructional coach and co-founder of the arts and communications academy.
Academy students are interested in subjects such as graphic arts and journalism, but the live painting performance also fit with an American Studies class that just finished a session on counterculture and graffiti, Navarra said.
In a larger sense, the famous artist’s daylong appearance was meant to inspire students, to get them thinking about their passions, their “fire,” she said.
ARCY said he chose Fitzgerald (1917-96) as his subject because her work ethic and perseverance inspired him.
“I fell in love with her,” he said. “She just pushed and pushed and pushed. She made her own reality.”
The finished portrait, done on three sheets of plywood, will be installed in the academy’s studio at the high school, Navarra said.
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