IBDP Visual Arts: Collaborative Murals - Teamwork Through Graffiti

Collaborative Murals - Fostering Teamwork Through Graffiti

I constantly seek innovative ways to encourage collaboration and cultural exploration within the classroom. But sometimes is better to go beyond the walls of our school and broaden our student's views to the world that is surrounding them. I was invited by the City Council of Downtown Fayetteville, in North Carolina (USA) to register the creative efforts of our students, creating a mural that would united ideas, cultural backgrounds and identities. This project was a good example of how art can be a powerful tool for teamwork, creativity, and cultural exchange.

Here is the description of how this activity took place:

Project Overview

This project was guided by the Framework for High-Quality Project-Based Learning, encouraging students to:

1. Engage with a meaningful question or challenge.

2. Collaborate effectively with peers.

3. Reflect on their learning journey and share their work with others.

4. Connect their artistic work to broader cultural and community contexts.

The driving question for this project was:

"How can we use collaborative murals to foster cultural exchange within our school community, featuring our ideas and backgrounds?"

Key Components:

Here is a summarized version of the project framework:

• Objective: Students design and create a collaborative mural that incorporates cultural symbols, themes, and artistic styles from their own cultural identity.

• Materials Needed: Art supplies (paints, spray paints, brushes, sketch pads, etc.), cardboard, projector (for practing and enlarging the designs), access to research tools, and a suitable wall for the mural.

  • Our mural was located at 110 Anderson Street, Downtown Fayetteville, kindly donated by SFL+A Architects.

• Procedure:

  Phase 1 - Explore and Connect: Students researched various collaborative murals and their cultural significance. They identify common themes, symbols, and artistic styles to incorporate into their designs.

  They decided, as a group, to choose the themes self-care and self-awareness, creating motivational quotes inspired by resistance movements present in their real lives. For the visual research, they studied techniques from the collaborative We Are Fayetteville Murals, located nearby our school. Having the chance to see different artists, like Jermaine JP Powell, Ayda Rose, Thyla Arden, and Dare Coulter creating amazing artworks in the area, gave them a wonderful pleasure and honor to also be part of this endeavor.

  
  
  

  

  

  
  
  

  Phase 2 - Create and Collaborate: Working in groups, students designed their mural, created sketches, and brought their ideas to life. They focused on teamwork, problem-solving, and decision-making throughout the process. For artistic enhancement, they practiced prior on paper and cardboard to get familiar with spray paint, focusing on keeping the lines and colors adequate to the initial ideas.

  
  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  
  
  
  

  Phase 3 - Final Art Process: Students finalize their paintings, adding details and focusing on leaving their marks on the wall, as a way to feature their identities and backgrounds. During a showcase event, they explained the cultural elements and themes incorporated into their artwork and reflected on the collaborative process.

  
  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  
  
  
  

• Assessment: Students were evaluated based on their research, mural design and execution, presentation, and reflections on their teamwork and learning experience.

Benefits of the Project

This collaborative mural project offered to students a hands-on experience in creating large-scale art while fostering essential life skills such as communication, teamwork, and cultural awareness. Engaging with cultural symbols and traditions, students gained a deeper appreciation for diversity and the importance of collaboration in the arts.

Reflection

This project shows the transformative power of art. Watching students come together to create something meaningful not only strengthens their artistic abilities but also their capacity for empathy and understanding. The collaborative process allows them to see how individual contributions came together to form a unified vision, mirroring real-world creative endeavors.

Conclusion

A creation like that embodies the essence of art as a communal and cultural experience. It encourages students to think critically, work collaboratively, and celebrate the richness of cultural diversity.

This project remains a highlight of my teaching practice, showcasing how art can unite and inspire both creators and audiences. Having the chance after a few years to look back, conduct a Google Maps search and still see that the mural is still at the same place and maintained by the city, is a memory of my years teaching in the USA and the best gift that a teacher can have. I truly hope that the values shared in that wall remains as an inspiration for students and teachers that will pass by that area, and the entire community, which has a special place in my heart forever!

Ms. Mila