Idaho teachers complete school mural on first wedding anniversary

BONNERS FERRY — Talk about true love.

Josh Knaggs and his wife Sara share a passion for art so they decided to paint a mural together in the Bonners Ferry High School gym. They completed the artwork on their one-year wedding anniversary in July.

“I believe we were both destined to find each other, maybe art was just one of the many sparks that lit our fire,” said Josh, an art teacher at Bonners Ferry High.

The mural idea came from a student who saw artwork displayed at St. Maries High School in the spring and asked Josh why Bonners Ferry High didn’t have anything similar in the gym.

“I thought it was a great question and started asking around,” Josh said.

Josh got approval from his principal and came up with a design. That is when he knew Sara would be the perfect fit to help with the project.

The couple spent 40 hours and five days to complete the 12-by-100-foot mural located in the school gym. The art piece features the school badger mascot and Boundary County landscape of trees, mountains and a river. The mural was created with acrylic paints and spray paint.

“I want students to recognize the space — the gym is a good social space and is meant for pride,” Josh said.

The couple celebrated the completion of the mural on July 15 — their first wedding anniversary. As a signature on the art, the couple painted a heart with an S+J in the roots of the tree.

“I think we share the passion because we love each other,” Josh said. “Visual art is a great way to put our love on display for the community.”

Sara would like to get a mural started at the middle school and Josh has ideas for more murals at the high school.