Activity Guide | Community Mural
Activity Guide | Community Mural
INTRODUCTION
Across the state, there are murals that capture countless aspects of each community. Some murals portray a piece of history that had a great impact on the city. Others are fun and artistic, an expression of the community in a more abstract way.
A mural can convey a message, help build community, and be a source of pride. Some murals can be controversial and others praised. Think about what kind of murals you have seen or are in your community? What do they represent and how have they been embraced by the community?
When creating a mural, working with a team can be a great way to get a variety of opinions and ideas. It can also ensure you have a diverse representation of skills within the mural. This activity will rely on the combined efforts of a group to create a large scale community mural.
“Lebanon Postcard Mural”
Artist: Michael Cooper and “Murals and More” Team
Location: Lebanon, Ky
About the Mural: Intertwined into the large “Lebanon” are Marion County’s attractions and unique features.
"Untitled Community Mural"
Artist: MrDheo and Pariz One
Location: Located at 266 Jefferson Street, Lexington, Kentucky
About the Mural: The mural is divided into several sections and features vintage oversized artwork in vibrant, eye-catching colors.
“Portraits from Paducah's Past”
Artist: Robert Dafford and the Dafford Murals Team
Location: Paducah, KY
About the Mural: These murals showcase the history of Paducah, from its founding to flood of 1937.
COMMUNITY MURAL AGENT INSTRUCTIONS
With this activity, you will use the work of students to create a large-scale community mural. Each student will research important information about their community.
Feel free to provide resources to the students, including community-specific information such as travel brochures, links to tourism or history websites, or contact information for local historians.
Materials
For each student provide:
- Printed worksheet
- Card stock paper in several colors
- Color mediums like crayons or markers
- Glue sticks or tape
For each office provide:
- Something to collect the sheets in (basket, cardboard box, tub with lid)
- Window or wall safe tape or putty
Once they have researched and brainstormed a mural topic, they will create a small-scale mural on a sheet of card stock you provide. Each student will then return the card stock to your office to be placed into a large-scale mural.
This activity can be packaged as a take-home activity or an in-person activity. If you choose to do it as a take-home, provide an easy place for families to drop off their completed mural.
Invite the community to drive by the student-created mural and take photos to highlight smaller sections on social media.
COMMUNITY MURAL WORKSHEET
Materials:
- The included worksheet
- Card stock Paper
- Colorful supplies: markers, crayons, colored pencils, watercolors, paint, etc
- What are some things that are important to your community? This could include a historic event, a product, an event or festival, a special plant, etc. Research by searching the internet or reaching out to community experts. List those below.
- Describe some murals you have seen, in your community or other places. What kind of colors are used? What does the image show? What is the scale, or size of the mural?
- Based on your research, brainstorm some ideas for your own mural in the space below. Include important words, images, or colors.
- Grab your sheet of card stock and begin working on your mural.
- First, sketch out your plan in pencil. Think about how each element works together to describe your community.
- Next, add color through other mediums like crayons, markers, or colored pencils.
- Last, once you have completed your mural, return it to the extension office to be a part of a large-scale community mural.
Related Information
