In 2023, the HVRHS student body, while heterogeneous in economic backgrounds, is largely homogeneous in ethnic make-up. The developing awareness of the world beyond the Northwest Corner inspired a grassroots call within the student body for a broader, more diverse, and inclusive atmosphere within the school. To answer this, students brought their proposal of a BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) themed mural on the school campus to the administration and art department faculty. Together it was decided the school cafeteria would be an ideal location for the mural. Students also enthusiastically endorsed the idea of working with a professional muralist to guide them through the process. The group then approached the 21st Century Fund for HVRHS and was awarded a grant and received another grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Once they found funding, the committee started researching artists and decided on Ben Keller, a CT artist who has done many murals around the state, including A New Dawn at 42 Water Street in Torrington. Keller is a young professional painter/mural artist who launched his own business in 2018. In his own words, his vision is “MERGING VISION WITH REALITY.”