Collaborative Mural Building

Collaborative Mural Building

Collaborative mural building is a model of art education. It can be used in communities that have endured trauma, violence, and the horrors of war. Participants can be children, youth, adults, elderly or any combination thereof. The participants are provided with art material such as pens, paper, pencils, paint brushes, paint, markers, and erasers. They are encouraged to draw out the narrative of their lives which may include private events or the shared traumatic events of the community. The participants are then invited to decide on the theme and structure of the mural. The counselors or leaders offer a safe space, guidance, and support as the mural is created. The participants are encouraged to use the finished product to help heal their community as they desire whether it is to educate others, provide each other with support, or demand and advocate for justice.

Example

In August of 2008, 30 indigneous women of Guatemala who were survivors of sexual violence during armed conflict participated in a mural building project organized by the School of Art and Open Studio of Perquin. The workshop took place in Huehuetenango. The finished mural was exhibited at the National Palace and the President of Guatemala met with the women artists to speak with them about their history and their demand for justice.

Reference

Bernardi, C. (2010). Art, memory, and diplomacy: A possible model for community building. Beliefs and Values: Understanding the Global Implications of Human Nature, 2(1) pp. 80-89.