Murals in Schools
Visioning, Therapeutic, Prayer filled, Creative, Environmental statement
Imposing and permeating in atmosphere murals enhance and affect the ethos of the school. Most murals are carefully planned with love.
- If a garden space is created to bring harmony, sound, smell and texture can be incorporated to further integrate the intentions of the designers and creators. Lavender or herbs may be incorporated to influence a prayerful and calm atmosphere. The sound of running water can be gentle and cleansing. Wind chimes might lend movement and rhythm. The quality of the ground beneath ones feet can add to the feeling, sound and texture of the experience.
- A library space will lend itself to compliments such as stained glass, sculptures, digital murals or even interactive sculptures and toys.
- Perhaps the inside of a classroom is better if it is not too imposing. Subtle, restful colours and not too much to draw the children away from their work. The images may tend towards inspirational and be appropriately targeted towards age.
- If the school has its own swimming pool perhaps the imagery will be inspirational and motivational. It might have a safety conscious intention or simply be about water.
- Promotional walls are usually outside the schools perimeter. They will be a large entrance or a wall that is an eyesore and needs a transformation to become more representative of the creativity and inspiration that occurs inside. This type of wall talks of the spirit of the school in its entirety and therefore much facilitation would occur when designing the statement.
- Stain Glass Windows allow for the subtle energy of light mixed with the strength of lead lighting. These are usually permanent and designed with love and commitment.
- The artwork around ponds is often temporary. Open to the elements it will require upkeep and perhaps redesigning and reconditioning. Often one sees windmills and other educational apparatus incorporated into the story of the design.
- Fountains can be very large or quite unobtrusive. Combined with imaginative imagery they can often enhance a quiet meditative atmosphere.
- Floor murals can be made from coloured carpet utilising the texture. Tiled areas can be coloured so as to create playing areas for games like hop scotch or skipping.
I invite you share insights about muraling on the discussion boards.
The copyright of the article Murals in Schools in Arts Education is owned by Jo Murphy. Permission to republish Murals in Schools must be granted by the author in writing.
