The two-part mural.

The two-part mural 

THE DOCTORS AND NURSES OF THE local hospital asked our school for some student artwork for their children's ward. They felt that the shiny cream-colored walls of the corridors needed more than the framed art prints presently displayed there. What they wanted was something of a children's environment along the corridors, more of an area of visual interest to allow the patients to feel relaxed and less awed by their required stay in the hospital.

After receiving their request, I visited the ward and walked the corridors. I discussed the possibility of one or two murals with the staff, who were enthusiastic and eager to offer whatever support and help was required. As I left the ward, I tried to visualize the color and vitality that would soon enrich and enliven the rather bleak surroundings.

Back with my class of six-to-eight-year-olds, I explained the request and described the area of the children's ward. We had painted murals before, but what subject would we use for these? Many suggestions were offered and after considerable discussion six were listed on the board as most suitable: people having fun in the snow; ships coming in and sailing out of the harbour; animals on a farm; jungle scene with animals and other creatures; fish under the sea; and outer space with the sun, planets, satellites and rockets.

A vote was taken and the jungle scene was chosen. In preparation for this painting, the children were asked to familiarize themselves with the jungle by referring to books and pictures from the library and at home.

The mural was considered in two parts: the Subject--the main objects of interest (the animals); and the Background--the setting or scenery for the animals. This two-part approach to the painting of a mural simplifies the process and can be applied to almost any subject. It requires at least three sessions with students-to create the main objects on separate papers, to paint the background and scenery for these objects and to put the two together. Then everybody works on the mural until it is complete.

The first session First, the project was reviewed; the size of the two murals demonstrated (2' x 30", 6 m x 9 m) and a deadline for completion scheduled. The class discussed the subject of the jungle, referring pictures and books. Then, each child was asked to paint two or three jungle animals on individual sheets of paper (without background for scenery). As these were finished, they were pinned to the walls of the room.

The second session Two thirty-foot (9 m) lengths of white paper were laid out on the floor. Paints, brushes, water and paper towels were arranged all the way along so that two children could share one set of materials. At the start of the session, we reviewed the jungle theme and focused on imagining scenery for the animals painted the previous week.

The students sat on the floor along the length of the two murals and started to paint their vision of the jungle. They were reminded to think big and to be aware of what their neighbors were painting. I emphasized the making of strong shapes, the mixing of new colors and the rhythm of patterns throughout. The two papers were soon covered with many shades of green, the richest of blue skies as well as a blazing hot yellow and orange sun beaming over lush jungle growth.

At times, I told the children to stop work, stand back and evaluate progress. To help the continuity, I encouraged them to move to different locations of the mural whenever they felt so inclined and continue to paint from there.

The third session For the last time the project was reviewed with the animals still pinned to the wall and the scenery of the jungle on the floor. It was now time for the two to come together.

Students cut out the animals and placed them in the jungle setting. The entire class evaluated the arrangement and made adjustments. When everyone was happy with the composition, the animals were glued to the scene.

The children now sensed the near completion of the murals and were eager to respond to the challenge of adding more animals, reptiles, birds, butterflies and other insects as well as flowers, grasses and whatever else occurred to them as being necessary details and final touches for the jungle.

Working together on a large painting and finally seeing it displayed promotes feelings of excitement, pride and group identity. "We did that," one child was heart to say to a friend who had come to see the work. then moving closer to the painting pointed to a detail, "I did that." The children's enthusiasm and delight in their achievement was once again clear evidence of the place and value of art experiences in the schools.

PHOTO : A student carefully cuts out a creature ready for the mural.

PHOTO : The two-part murals enhance hospital walls.

PHOTO : Painting the jungle scenery required a lot of creative work.