Let’s Make a MURAL !

Well… the word comes from “muras” which is Latin for WALL.

Murals are PUBLIC – like your Facebook ‘wall’ is public - what is put there is for everyone to see.

Many “murals” are, in fact, on walls; but some are also on ceilings, floors, and even sidewalks.

What is a mural?

Whether in a cave in France…

Lascaux – Paleolithic era, more than 17,000 yrs old.

…in an Mayan tomb,

Bonampak, Mexico.

600 AD

…in a palace in Mexico,

The National Palace

Diego Rivera c 1922

…or in a post office in Alabama,

Montevallo WPA art. c.1941

…all murals have a public message:

This is where we are from.

This is what we want.

-the concerns, hopes, values and memories of a community.

And all murals address common themes:

A mural can be in any artistic style…

The style and subject depend on the ability of the artist and the location of the art.

1. This is where we are from.

2. This is what we want.

Keep these two universal ideas in mind as you plan YOUR mural -

Let’s get started!

1. Each member of your group will suggest images that represent their interests or those of the community.

2. Then, working directly on your canvas, you will sketch the scene first in pencil.

Keep in mind the variety of artistic ability we have observed already. Don’t worry about perfection.

Paint your canvas.

The diverse interests of each group will be obvious.

Each group will present their mural.

And each member will be able to say, “This part represents ME.”

With special thanks to Ms Tipton’s Spanish 2 class.