Artwork copyright David Fichter. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2023.

Artwork copyright David Fichter. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2023 (detail).

Artwork copyright David Fichter. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2023 (detail).

Artwork copyright David Fichter. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2023 (detail).

Artwork copyright David Fichter. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2023 (detail).

Artwork copyright David Fichter. The artist David Fichter with his artwork. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2023.

Artwork copyright David Fichter. The artist David Fichter with his artwork. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2023.

Children of the Sun, 2022

David Fichter
(American, born 1951)

Location: Shiloh Hills Elementary, Spokane

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Children of the Sun by David Fichter aims to inspire the children and the community of Shiloh Hills Elementary in Spokane, Eastern Washington, with uplifting imagery. The mural includes themes of nature and the outdoors, local pride, reading and books, and the diversity of the school. The word "Spokane" translates from the Spokane tribal language to "Children of the Sun."

At the center is a large, abstracted sun design. Images of active children playing, reading, writing, doing puzzles, playing music, exploring nature, and sledding revolve around the sun, like a solar system. A spiraling pattern based on a mathematical pattern found in nature – named the Fibonacci sequence – spirals out of the sun’s rays and overlays the central section. The left section features local plants and animals, including two flying goldfinches, a chipmunk, a fawn, and a Pacific tree frog. The right section features landmarks along the Spokane River including River Bend State Park and an iconic arch bridge (the Monroe Street Bridge) in downtown Spokane.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Mead School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

David Fichter is a Massachusetts-based community muralist. He engages the community with his work, working with students and teachers to create group murals that explore the unique aspects and diversity of their schools and communities.

Fichter graduated at Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His murals are found in the United States and other countries, including Armenia, Georgia, and Nicaragua.