A student art project celebrating Putnam County's rich history is drawing attention both inside and outside George Fischer Middle School. 

Under the guidance of Studio Art Teacher Krista Berardi, students created a large-scale mural depicting some of Carmel's historical landmarks. The idea originated with Social Studies Teacher Keith Reilly, who asked students schoolwide to submit suggestions of what to feature in the artwork. 

“We are lucky to live in a place where so much history is preserved,” said Berardi, a Carmel High School graduate who took Studio Art when she was a George Fischer Middle School student.  

Among the landmarks included are the Historic Putnam County Courthouse and Mount Carmel Baptist Church, whose roots trace back to 1772. The mural also shows teachers and students crossing Lake Gleneida in a boat, like the famous painting Washington Crossing the Delaware. 

The mural was displayed during the Battle of the Redcoats, a Revolutionary War reenactment held at Veterans Memorial Park in Carmel during the first weekend of June.  

Now it is displayed in the lobby of George Fischer Middle School, where it will continue to showcase the community’s history and the creativity of its students for years to come.