The Public Mural Project stretches beyond the experience of teaching how to draw, paint or create a series of murals by Dr. Preston Williams and Leal Elementary School’s communities members. The project engaged these schools in a collective artistic creation providing a space and time to strengthen human relationships. It also was able to integrate not only the community of these schools but, most importantly, the surrounding larger community through an integrated social activity.
We wholeheartedly believe that building integrated communities that reflect new social realities provide spaces for dialogues about cultural belonging and community building. Through the development of this project, I also think that I helped to integrate the arts within the City of Urbana, creating a sense of place to promote art and culture. Additionally, the project helped foster the emergence of new artists who strive to preserve their cultural traditions and represent diversity and equal opportunities throughout collaboration.
