LEI0041 - Art in Action: Creating a Community Mural
Course Description
This hands-on community art/mural course invites students to take part in the complete process of creating a public mural—from initial concept to final installation. Working collaboratively, students will help design and paint the first mural in a planned series of future public artworks, laying the foundation for an ongoing visual presence in the community. All supplies are provided. Students are expected to bring their own work clothes that can get paint on them and must wear close-toe shoes.
Through guided instruction and collective decision-making, participants will explore how murals are conceived, planned, and executed at a large scale. Students will engage in brainstorming themes, developing imagery, preparing surfaces, transferring designs, and painting in a public setting. The course emphasizes learning through doing.
Course Outline
The course also examines the powerful role of public art: how it shapes shared spaces, reflects community identity, sparks dialogue, and creates a sense of belonging. By creating something together, students experience firsthand the impact of collaboration, collective creativity, and shared ownership. The finished mural will stand as a lasting testament to teamwork, creative vision, and the ability of art to transform public spaces.
This course is ideal for students interested in hands-on artmaking, community engagement, and the excitement of contributing to a public artwork that will be experienced for years to come.
Learner Outcomes
Engage in the complete mural creation process from concept development to public installation
Collaborate with peers to design and execute a large-scale, cohesive artwork
Apply hands-on mural and large-scale painting techniques in a real-world setting
Explain the role and impact of public art in shaping community identity and shared spaces
Recognize how collaborative art practices strengthen creative and social connections
Contribute to a permanent public artwork that is accessible and meaningful to a broad audience
Reflect on the personal and communal impact of creating art for the public
Notes