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Submission: On October 27 via api from US — Scanned from DE
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IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Steals & Deals: Beachwaver hair tool for $40, Color Wow must-haves and more up to 85% off SKIP TO CONTENT Today Logo Sponsored By * On The Show 3rd Hour of TODAY Hoda & JennaSaturday TODAYSunday TODAYShop the Show * Wellness Start TODAY Walking ChallengeMental HealthWomen's HealthFitnessSleepDiet & Nutrition * Parents Parenting TipsKids HealthBabiesFamilyLOL * Pop Culture TVMoviesBooksRoyalsCiti Concert Series * Food RecipesCeleb ChefsFood TipsWhat to Cook This Week * News Good NewsCoronavirusPolitics * Shop Shop the ShowEarly Black Friday DealsSteals & DealsStuff We LoveFashionBeautyHomeGift Guides * Life EssaysInspirationHolidaysSex & RelationshipsAstrology Search A high school artist was chosen to paint a mural. Then came the outrage * Share this — * * * * * Search TodaySearch Sections * Health & Wellness * Parenting * Food * Shop * Pop Culture * Style * Home * Videos Shows * TODAY * 3rd Hour of TODAY * TODAY with Hoda & Jenna * Saturday TODAY * Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist * Watch Full Episodes More * News * Help * Trending * TODAY Table * Recipes * Newsletters * Citi Music Series * Parenting Team * Pets & Animals * Money * Asian American Voices * Black Voices * Latino Voices * LGBTQ Voices * Women Are Essential Follow today * * * * * * * More Brands NBC News LogoMSNBC Logo * Facebook * Pinterest * Email * SMS * Print * Whatsapp * Reddit * Pocket * Flipboard * Twitter * Linkedin Parents A HIGH SCHOOL ARTIST WAS CHOSEN TO PAINT A MURAL. THEN CAME THE OUTRAGE A student said she created the piece to make kids "feel welcome." Some parents in Grant, Michigan, wanted the painting removed. A mural at Grant Middle School in Michigan is sparking controversy. Courtesy Chandler Morris Oct. 17, 2022, 8:44 PM UTC / Source: TODAY By Rachel Paula Abrahamson A mural painted by a high school student came under fire when parents alleged it was promoting LGBTQ imagery and witchcraft. Earlier this year, a Grant, Michigan high school sophomore won a contest “to brighten up” the middle school health center, according to a statement from Grant Public Schools (GPS). GPS says the student received approval to paint images of “smiling children” and as well as the message “Stay Healthy.” In the painting, there are three children. A boy is seen in a light blue, pink and white T-shirt, the colors of the transgender flag. A girl wears pink, royal blue and purple, the colors of the bisexual flag. And a second girl is in rainbow Pride colors. GPS Superintendent Brett Zuver was a contest judge. He did not respond to an email asking if he understood the meaning of the colors when the student's design was chosen as the winner. GPS said the final mural included “some features” that were not part of the agreement, including a demon face inspired by a popular video game called Genshin Impact, and a "Hamsa hand," also known as the Hand of Fatima or Hand of Mary. The palm-shaped design has been a symbol for good luck or protection for centuries in many cultures, including Latin American. At a school board meeting on Oct. 10, parents accused the student artist of promoting witchcraft by including the Hamsa hand as well as the video game character that bears the likeness of a demon. Parents also objected to the use of LGBTQ colors. “I put my art up there to make people feel welcome,” the student artist said, her voice breaking, in footage captured at the meeting by local news station WZZM 13. One man at the meeting called the mural "hate material." Added another adult at the meeting, "I feel like (she) did a really good job finding excuses to defend the things you put on. None of us are that stupid." Tracey Hargreaves, who has two children Grant Public School system, came to the defense of the student artist. “I am a conservative, right-wing, gun-loving American,” Hargreaves declared at the meeting. “And I’ve never seen more bigoted people in my life.” "The meeting turned into a hate fest. Usually there are 10 people at these meetings, 50 showed up. It wasn't even about the mural," Hargreaves told TODAY. "People were talking about how we need to pray the gay away." Tracey Hargreaves, a friend of the student artist's family, shared a photo of the original design for the mural. Courtesy Chandler MorrisThe finished mural that caused so much controversy. Courtesy Chandler Morris "I had to stand up and say something," Hargreaves said. "It was out of control. You can't catch gay, honey. It's not contagious." RECOMMENDED Gift Guides GIFT GUIDESPETS CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS, TOO! 61 GIFTS FOR YOUR FAVORITE FURRY FRIEND Gift Guides GIFT GUIDESFROM DRESSES TO SLACKS, 12 SNEAKERS THAT GO WITH EVERYTHING The student artist left the meeting in tears, according to Hargreaves. "She tried to explain herself, but no one would listen. They were convinced that the Hand of Fatima ... was satanic," Hargreaves said. Lori Donati, who works at the middle school health center where the mural is displayed, told NBC affiliate Wood-TV earlier this month that she was "thrilled" with the result. “Everyone’s accepted at our clinic,” Donati said. “What she (the artist) was trying to say (is that) everyone’s accepted no matter what your background is or who you are. You are loved and accepted and that’s exactly our philosophy with our office, too.” On Oct. 13, GPS announced that "at the student artist's request, the mural will be returned to its original form as originally submitted and approved by the Administration." That means the images of the children and animals will remain, but symbols including the Hand of Fatima and the video game character will be removed. The student artist's father declined an interview when contacted by TODAY. Zuver, the school superintendent, told TODAY Parents in an email that the student artist and the school board “came to a very positive resolution.” “(She) asked to make some adjustments by removing some of the items that were not on the original submission that was approved,” Zuver shared. “There are some symbols that were used to fill in space. She said the wall was bigger than she thought and didn’t want to leave too many blank spaces.” “I am a very proud of her,” Zuver added. “She is a great young lady.” Related video: JOE FRYER, NBC NEWS CORRESPONDENT, SPOTLIGHTS STORIES FROM THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY | PRIDE IS UNIVERSAL June 27, 202224:46 This is TODAY Your day starts here. The latest in news, pop culture, wellness and more from TODAY. Sign Up This site is protected by recaptcha Privacy Policy | Terms of Service Rachel Paula Abrahamson Rachel Paula Abrahamson is a lifestyle reporter who writes for the parenting, health and shop verticals. She was previously a senior editor at Us Weekly. Her bylines have appeared in The New York Times, Good Housekeeping, Redbook, and elsewhere. Rachel lives in the Boston area with her husband and their two daughters. Follow her on Instagram. 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