The Big Picture: Mural Arts in Philadelphia

Catalog description

Mural Arts Big Pictures in Philadelphia is an in depth study of murals and public art. We have an overview of the largest mural collection nationally here in Philadelphia. The city is our classroom as we explore a wide range of murals and programs in Philadelphia. Social contexts provide the lens through which we will view murals. We learn the history of murals to give context to the contemporary movement. We will look at how the mural process connects and engages communities. We learn through trips to mural sites, meet muralists and others engaged in thinking about art, public space and city issues. Case studies of mural projects and initiatives happening in neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia help us understand the benefit and impact of public art. Through exploring arts based programs that work with issues of immigration, mental health and restorative justice students will be inspired to think about the role arts can play in the city. We hope the class inspires students to see possibilities for engaging communities and the role art and artists can play in creating change.The assignments range from interviews of artists, collages, readings and a final project is a hypothetical public art project in the city.