I started the mural design process at the San Juan airport on my way to DC, September 26, 2013 4 days away from my campaign goal for the school beautification project. I used the children’s drawings, all 7 lbs of them, to create the design. First I sifted through the drawings, organized them by theme and class and began brainstorming. I asked the students to draw 5 simple ideas which varied based on grade level:
- Draw what makes you happy within school.
- Draw what makes you happy about life outside of school.
- Draw your ideal super hero/heroin. What talents and characteristics/values does he/she have? How are those traits or values similar to yours?
- Draw what makes you feel valued?
- Draw yourself today and what you what you can accomplish in the future with an education.
I will share the assessment I gathered from their drawings and art classes later. The vision is to provide an image that uplifts the students, incorporates their values and ideas of a happy and safe space and allows them to learn and imagine. I was extremely nervous to share the design and drafts with the school yet I have gotten great feedback and they are happy!
Main objectives: 1) make it easy for students to participate and paint with me, 2) design a mural we can complete in 6 weeks 3) beautify the school space and enhance the children’s art education.
Check it out below. I tried to make sure I tell a story, incorporate elements of imagination, the images that they found important and I also use some of their drawings (an idea inspired by Dave McShane, Mural Arts Program artist whom I interned with).
The wall is 130 feet long and it’s highest point is 8 feet tall. So you can imagine, it’s quite an ambitious project and we’re going to make it happen. I am excited to show you the final image.
