By: Tracy Kutzer & Amanda Poehls
Sloulin Elementary School in Williston, North Dakota, has a story to tell. This building serves as an opportunity to connect students to the land, the sky, and the legacy of two local heroes. Here, JLG Architects’ Environmental Graphic Design team transformed an 80,000-square-foot learning center into an immersive environment where history, identity, and inspiration are woven into everyday life. Built to accommodate 600 students and 60 staff members, the school honors the past and paves the way for the future through experiential architecture and intentional storytelling. Experiential architecture is the bridge between a physical structure and a human story, creating an environment where the architecture itself serves as a teaching tool, helping students retain knowledge through visual and spatial connections.
Honoring Local History
The foundation of Sloulin Elementary School is rooted in a deep sense of place, built on the former site of the Sloulin Field International Airport. The name itself is a tribute to Kermit and Wesley Sloulin, two local World War II heroes who grew up in this community and made the ultimate sacrifice in combat before the age of 26. While Kermit served in the U.S. Army, Wesley took to the skies as a B-17 Flying Fortress pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps, eventually becoming the first North Dakota pilot to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross.
To ensure their story resonated with a new generation, JLG’s environmental graphic designer, Catherine Dorsher, worked closely with a relative of the Sloulin brothers for authentic imagery, as well as the district to narrate the spirit of Western North Dakota. This historical narrative begins the moment a visitor enters the building.
As Principal Susan Prady explains, “When we had the first meeting, I was impressed at all the elements they had considered to include… Our front wall is a tribute to the Sloulin brothers and a local family who homesteaded the land our school is built on… Their tribute wall is stunning, and I am so honored to have that done so well. Every person who steps foot in our school comments on our beautiful environmental graphics.”
These graphics are not merely decorative; they are intentional learning tools. In a neighboring stairwell, a B-17 bomber ascends against a backdrop of current-day Western North Dakota IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) mapping. By weaving the brothers’ squadrons, aircraft, and aeronautical charts into the architecture, the school provides students with a daily reminder to persevere, spread their wings, and follow their dreams.
Integrating School Identity with North Dakota’s Natural Palette
Moving deeper into the building, the aviation theme evolves from a historical tribute into a functional wayfinding guide that celebrates the natural beauty of Western North Dakota. Taking advantage of the staircase, hallways, and spanning windows, Aviators imagery takes flight up the stairs, as well as at the front desk, where it greets students and teachers as they start their day.
To guide students through the school the Aviators’ coyote makes an appearance throughout the building to introduce fun facts about aviation and the prairie ecosystem. As students move from space to space, native species emerge and follow along; meadowlarks flitter through the sky, bison roam near stairwells, and prairie butterflies create an immersive environment where children are invited to joyfully explore.
“I am so impressed with the environmental graphics we used for Sloulin Elementary. First, there was so much thought and consideration put into all the elements… The way the colors were included, which tied into the colors of our school. The animals were all native to our area. The way they included our school theme in a creative and innovative way.” – Susan Prady, Principal – Sloulin Elementary School
The design blends the school’s brand identity colors of gold and black with a spectrum of playful, muted hues inspired by a natural prairie palette. Paired with natural wood elements throughout the building, the design utilizes a fusion of high-energy and calming colors to create a stimulating atmosphere that resonates with youthful curiosity and movement. This creates an environment that feels dynamic and full of life, purposefully designed to keep students energized as they navigate the building. Throughout the graphics, the airplane motif is interwoven with a sense of whimsy, turning aircraft and flight paths into vibrant storytelling elements that lead students through their educational journey.
Environmental Impact on Education
While the Sloulin graphics provide a vibrant focal point and make the space truly unique, the psychological impacts of environmental graphics run deeper. According to the Mental Health Foundation, experiencing art generates a feeling of community and identity. For a young student, a large school building can feel vast and intimidating. However, when those spaces are filled with familiar prairie landscapes and symbols—like the meadowlarks of the North Dakota plains or the B-17 bombers of their town’s history—the environment shifts from institutional to inviting. This intentional design does more than decorate; it transforms the 80,000-square-foot facility into a three-dimensional textbook where every hallway offers a lesson in heritage.
Graphic art is strategically placed to inspire students and teachers to navigate the world together, embracing the feeling of inclusion and being brave “Aviators” within the walls of the school and beyond. This sense of belonging is a critical prerequisite for academic success; a student who feels represented by their environment is a student who is mentally prepared to engage. This art also provides wayfinding landmarks that guide students throughout the building, decreasing anxieties and instilling focus through their footsteps. By “following the coyote” or “meeting at the bison,” students navigate with confidence, reducing the cognitive stress of moving through a large facility and allowing them to arrive at their destination ready to learn.
While the joy found in the playful imagery and Aviators mascot is palpable, the graphic design artist walks away with an even deeper sense of pride and passion. The goal is to foster an atmosphere where students don’t just attend school but feel inspired by the very walls that surround them.
“I believe that a space should do more than just exist — it should engage and transform. Environmental Graphic Design gives a voice to the built environment. It is a medium for creative expression that serves a deeper purpose: to enhance, engage, and evoke emotion. There is a unique fulfillment in delivering exactly what a client needs to make their space feel complete. I love the intentionality behind this work — the way a thoughtful design can influence a person’s experience and make them want to linger in a space just a little longer.” – Catherine Dorsher, Environmental Graphic Designer – JLG Architects
By grounding the school in local history and vibrant imagery, Sloulin Elementary ensures that the spirit of the “Aviators” is more than a mascot — it is a daily call to exploration, courage, and growth.
Into the Future
Weaving together the courage of the Sloulin brothers with the vibrant spirit of the North Dakota prairie, Williston Basin School District #7 and JLG have created more than just a place of study. As the first new elementary facility to open in Williston in over a decade, Sloulin Elementary utilizes experiential architecture to transform the daily experience for students and teachers alike. While the high-energy colors and whimsical wildlife stimulate curiosity and creativity, the thoughtful integration of natural materials and historical tributes provides a grounded sense of identity and focus. In this unique environment, the fusion of character, color, and history ensures that for every student, legacy and learning truly take flight.
