McCallum students unveil mental health sculpture at Austin ISD campus

"Every individual matters, and together we create something larger than ourselves," the students said at the unveiling.

Art teachers Carey West and Abby Burnham guided students through months of planning, sculpting, glazing and placing mosaic tiles.

"It is projects like this that are so important, because it is our youth showing all of our communities ... how important mental health is to them, but also that it can be expressed, that it can be beautiful," said Octavio Martinez Jr., executive director of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health. "Anyone and everyone can sit there and contemplate, and it will speak to them. It'll be for generations to come."

LaShonda Lewis, executive director of the AISD Student Support Services department, said at the unveiling that the project created space for students to feel seen and supported.

"Today is about more than unveiling a sculpture," Lewis said. "It's about honoring our students and recognizing the importance of mental health in our schools and in our communities."

The sculpture is now permanently installed at the Austin ISD Performing Arts Center, located at 1500 Barbara Jordan Blvd.