The Hunter Elementary PTA brought Bren Bataclan to the school as an Artist in Residence on January 7. During his visit, he painted a mural and drawing with all students.

Bataclan presented "Smile Raleigh: Everything Will Be Alright" as part of Raleigh's First Night New Year's Celebration. In that project he constructed a picture puzzle installation from his own paintings, as well as those of local art students he worked with Nov. 17-19.

Students at Hunter Elementary, Longview School and Exploris Middle School all had the opportunity to work with Bataclan. He also dropped off 15 of his paintings in random places throughout Raleigh during this visit.

Bataclan has received global attention for his signature paintings, which he randomly leaves throughout various cities as a way to brighten the lives of those who pick them up. The paintings are part of the "free art" movement. Bataclan began the Smile Boston project in 2003 and has since left his paintings across the US and in over 30 countries.

You can hear the audio podcast with Bren Bataclan, Cindy Pryor and Vickie Adamson here.

Pictures from his visit can be found here.