Kary Fischer, Bright Paths, 2026, laminated glass with digitally printed tile, MS 216 Addition, Brooklyn ​

Bright Paths is a site-specific artwork created by Katy Fischer for the lobby of the new MS 216 Addition, Queens. The wall-spanning mural is comprised of four printed glass panels featuring a colorful, maze-like design of abstract shapes. To create the artwork, Fischer collaborated with students, inviting them to design personal symbols representing the academic subjects, activities and local places that enrich their school community. Drawing on the students’ color palettes and themes, the artist developed paper paintings, cutting and arranging them by hand into a final composition of interlocking forms. The white spaces between the vibrant shapes create flowing pathways that guide the eye through the composition. Against this crisp backdrop, the bold silhouettes pop, while their painterly textures and shallow shadows lend a subtle, tactile quality.

Like a playful visual puzzle, the artwork encourages conversation and embraces multiple perspectives. The forms suggest objects drawn from the experiences and daily lives of students at MS 216, but are abstracted just enough to allow for varied associations. For example, where one student might see a basketball, another might see a globe. These shifting interpretations draw viewers closer and reward repeated viewing, as new connections and meanings emerge over time.

As the title suggests, Bright Paths symbolizes the network of human, intellectual and creative connections that guide each student’s unique middle school journey. Fischer explained: “As students progress through their years of middle school, shapes that once went unnoticed may later be recognized anew. By inviting viewers to return again and again with fresh eyes, I hope to spark curiosity and remind them that learning begins with a sense of wonder.”