Usually when I'm working on a project with kids, there is a basic design that we are working on, with room for what I refer to as "happy accidents" - spaces where we can innovate and be inspired to add detail. Kids participating in my summer camp murals or after school projects are doing "real" work. They meet with business owners or an organizations leader and understand that the art that they are creating is permanent. There is no better moment when the project is complete and everyone stands back with pride at what they have accomplished.
I recently finished a large mosaic mural in Easton with an organization called Talbot Mentors. I've worked with this group for about five years. Their mission is to "match young people in Talbot County, Maryland with volunteer mentors in order to support those children in the challenges and opportunities of adolescence through friendship, guidance, and education." In the past mentor/mentee pairs have created stained glass mosaic windows together, participating in my regular mosaic classes.
As with all of my mosaic students, the design and mosaic style of the pieces were determined by those creating them. This year I was asked to do a little something different.
The Talbot Mentors team of Natalie Costanzo, Javana Bowser, and Rachel White were in the process of renovating the Talbot Mentors offices and had the goal of creating a warm, welcoming place for Talbot Mentors participants and visitors to hang out, engage in activities and workshops and to just feel at home. When we began the early planning of this mural I asked them about design content. "Let the children decide," was the answer that I received. And that's exactly what we did.
The first session was a design brainstorming session. The question I asked them was,"What should people know about the Talbot Mentors and the space itself?" The mural is on a very large wall facing the front door - it is the first thing you see when you step inside. It would greet all participants and visitors. There was no shortage of ideas: downtown Easton (including the paint your own pottery spot - a favorite amongst the kids), the Earth, the solar system, astronauts, a representation of friendship, animals, and many more. Our next job was to narrow the design features. This involved many conversations at the mural site. We drew in the parts that we knew we wanted; the word "Welcome" across the middle of the mural with the Earth in place of the "O." We added other features as we went, always talking ideas out and making sure everyone felt good about the direction of the project. Next we decided to add people, and the kids came up with the excellent idea to trace each other onto the mural. Flowers, insects, birds, and apple tree and a sun were added. Every part of the mural was their creation.
The completed mural is a colorful, cheerful and creative mural that puts a smile on the face of everyone who walks through the office. There are fun "characters" created by the kids; creatures that don't exist in our ordinary world but that live in the garden of their creativity. And while the finished product is an incredible, beautiful artwork to behold, it is something even bigger. It is a reminder to all the kids that worked on it of an experience that they were not only a part of, but the actual creators of. A large example of the thousands of little decisions we made together, the challenges that presented themselves, and the ability to think up an idea and see it through to it's creation. It's truly their's, not something thought up and controlled by the adults around them. I was there to help; answering questions, providing ideas, moderating discussions. I was simply a facilitator of their efforts.
The Mural Completed!
A couple of my sweet proud helpers at the Partners In Art night!
A second project finished just this week was with an after school group at Colonel Richardson Middle School. We only had 4 days, 1 hour each day to create an anti-smoking mural funded by the Caroline County Health Department. The Director of Wellness Promotions Leigh Marquess had the same idea as my friends at the Talbot Mentors - the design was to be determined by the students working on the project. Having the ability to truly brainstorm and the opportunity to see their ideas take shape in front of them set a serious tone with the kids. We didn't have much time - the piece was to be presented at an upcoming dinner so there was no wiggle room with the deadline. None of the kids had ever made a mosaic before, and most of them didn't see themselves as "art kids." But they went right to work, creating a design that was clean and eye catching while still delivering the anti-smoking message required.
Yesterday they saw the finished piece and I was truly touched by their pride in their work. One girl was brought to tears, she couldn't believe what she had helped create. We threw ourselves a little party, eating pizza and cake, and showing the mural to every student and faculty member that walked by. These kids were excited and proud of the work they had done.
It is this pride of accomplishment that I believe we need to focus on with our young people. Kids need to have their ideas validated and taken seriously. We need to teach kids how to work in groups, share ideas, give positive feedback and work through challenges. We need to empower them by taking the time to hear their ideas and to help them affect positive changes on the world around them. My friends at the Talbot Mentors and at Colonel Richardson Middle School know this - I'm thankful to have community partners to work with that share tis vision. These life skills will serve them wherever their path leads.
