Updated March 6, 2013       Français

Collaborative Mural Workshops 2011

For Murals from other years please visit my Murals Homepage.

Friends of the Galerie Montcalm

"Difference"

Friends of the Galerie Montcalm                  July 10, 2011

On the 9th and 10th of July, 2011, I worked on a large canvas at Galerie Montcalm in collaboration with several artists as part of my exhibition "Inside What You See".
The theme of the painting "The Difference" has a direct relationship with the idea of being unique, special.
The participants were encouraged to express their sense of individuality. The result is a series of images well integrated with the fluidity and sense of balance are very present.
Congratulations to all!
Many thanks
Marcio Melo

Watch the video:

Le LAB

Au Long de la ligne réfléchie

Le LAB, Gatineau (Hull), Quebec                        June 29, 2011

on the 28th and 29th of June, 2011, I worked with young adults from the LAB on a mural project.
The painting was done on a series of four paintings 40 x 40 inches.
The idea of the theme "The Long Line reflected," invites participants to express images from their own personal universe.
The result is a series of paintings that communicate a strong sense of unity and collaboration between them.
Congratulations to youth of the Lab!
Marcio Melo

Watch the video:

 

Mountainview Elementary School

" Paint - On the Floor "

Mountainview Elementary School, Deux-Montagnes, Quebec            May 19, 2011

On May 17, 18 & 19 I worked on a Mural Project at Mountainview Elementary in Deux-Montagnes, Quebec.
It’s my third visit to this school and this time I worked on a series of lockers beautifully primed in white.
The lockers were placed right beside a previous mural, and the Principal, Mrs. Miller, and I agreed to work on them as a continuation of what was on the wall.
The mural and the lockers are both divided in two levels by a long horizontal wavy line. I drew all the details above the line while the students worked on spaces under the line sitting on the floor.
When it was time to pick a song for the video, the students suggested “On the Floor” by Jenifer Lopez, which was a perfect choice for it, giving the nature of the activity.
I had a great time working in this school as always.
The students did beautiful things on the theme of Nature.
Enjoy it,
Marcio Melo

Watch the video:

Gardenview Elementary School

"Our Garden - Notre Jardin"

Gardenview Elementary School, Ville St.-Laurent, Quebec            May 5, 2011

On May 3rd, 4th and 5th I worked on a mural project with grade 2 students from Mme. Gauthier’s class at Gardenview Elementary School in Montreal.
It’s the first time I worked with acrylic on a ceramic wall and I have to say that I like the result.
The theme for the mural was “Our Garden/ Notre Jardin” and the students displayed a vast number of animals, flowers and plants both from reality and fantasy worlds.
I chose the song “Wildflower” for the obvious connection to the theme but was also pleased to find out it matched the students dance perfectly.
I’m very pleased with the result.
Merci to Mme. Gauthier and Bravo to all the great little artists!!
Marcio Melo

Watch the video:

Sherbrooke Elementary School

"Beautiful Things in Life"

Sherbrooke Elementary School, Sherbrooke, Quebec            April 29, 2011

On April 27, 28 and 29 I was in Sherbrooke, Quebec working on a mural project at Sherbrooke Elementary School.
We had a group of 20 students and seven pieces of plywood to paint. The theme of the mural was “Beautiful Things in Life”.
Each piece of plywood had to be divided in three parts in order to accommodate three students. I decided to draw two vases with flowers on each, creating this division and honouring at the same time, flowers, butterflies and birds as great examples of such things.
At the end of the project I asked the students to dance for the video. They came up with these very energetic moves which led to the song “Let’s go Crazy” from Prince.
The result is really a lot of fun - an ultimate mixture of Joy and Beauty.
Bravo to all the wonderful artists / dancers from Sherbrooke Elementary School that I had the chance to work with.
Marcio Melo

Watch the video:

Sinclair Laird Elementary School

"One Love, One Community"

Sinclair Laird Elementary School, Montreal, Quebec            April 7, 2011

On April 5, 6 and 7 I worked on a mural project at Sinclair Laird Elementary School in Montreal.
I had the great pleasure of working with Drama Teacher Vicki Theophilopoulos and together we came up with the theme “One Love, One Community”.
The mural was done on plywood and I created a background of buildings that evoked different cultures in order to reflect the diverse background of the students participating.
Vicki did a fantastic job preparing the students for the video - they went as far as selecting costumes and props together for the the chosen Beatle’s song.
I truly love the result and I’m very proud of the students and the teacher for being so engaged in this project.
Thank You and Bravo !!!
Marcio Melo

Watch the video:

Souvenir Elementary School

"Peace by Peace We Succeed"

Souvenir Elementary School, Laval, Quebec            April 1, 2011

On March 30, 31, April 01 I worked on a mural project in Souvenir Elementary school in Chomedy / Laval.
The mural was done on a beautiful, bright white staircase and the theme chosen was “Peace by Peace We Succeed”.
The students came up with images that reflected some of the values emphasized in the school such as positive environment implying respect, responsibility and readiness. There are many drawings displaying the importance of sharing and interacting with nature and our fellow human beings.
In the background drawing for this mural I also included a vast number of varied peace signs all along the bottom of the steps, which complements the message, “Peace by Peace We Succeed”.
The students suggested the theme song “Forever” for the mural and came up with some very cool steps .
I’m very pleased with the result and I hope you enjoy the video.
Marcio Melo

Watch the video:

Jules Verne Elementary School

"Perseverence, Enlightenment and Higher Learning"

Jules Verne Elementary School, Laval, Quebec            March 17, 2011

On March 15, 16 and 17, 2011, I worked on a mural project at Jules Verne Elementary School in Duvernay, Laval.
I had the collaboration of a great teacher, Anna-Maria Bondi for this project and we agreed on a theme of undeniable importance for the times we are living - Perseverance, Enlightenment and Higher Learning.
This beautiful, philosophical and encompassing theme was translated into images that had to do with light. Be it a planet, a star, candles, angels or lighthouses. Be it spiritual or physical, any image evoking a relationship with light was to be relevant.
The students came up with their own interpretations of this concept and the result is this very interesting, uplifting and joyful video.
The song “Here Comes the Sun” from the Beatles couldn’t be more perfect.
Enjoy It !!
Marcio Melo

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Les écoles Albatros et des Roseraies

"We must protect the Environment and Nature"

Les écoles Albatros et des Roseraies, Montreal, Quebec            March 11, 2011

On the 9th, 10th and 11th of March, 2011, I worked in the schools Albatros et des Roseraies with a group of about 20 students.
The theme of the mural was the environment and the importance of positive action to protect it.
For this video, I chose the song "Les Etoiles Fillantes" by Les Cowboys Fringants. This is a song that we hear a lot about the fragility of life and impermanence of things, having a direct relationship with the need to take care of nature in the present moment.
Students have worked very well in this wall and I said "Bravo to Everyone"!
Marcio Melo

Watch the video:

Hadley Junior High School

"Totem Wall"

Hadley Junior High School, Gatineau (Hull), Quebec            February 24, 2011

On February 22, 23 and 24 I worked on a mural project at Hadley Junior High School in Gatineau.
This is my first time working in this school collaborating with art teacher Kay Kerman.
In the beginning we were going to work on a mural depicting the school activities and values.
The students had made several drawings prior to my arrival. While some of these drawings related directly to the theme, others were freer expressions of nature and animals and I felt naturally more inspired by them.
While staying in Ottawa I saw this great outdoor mural at the Museum of Nature. I really liked the images of the mammoths and the running deer depicted on it and somehow these images stayed in my mind.
I also looked through some books of aboriginal art while working in class with Sylvia Bretzloff in my previous project.
When I started drawing on the wall, creating frames in which the students would later place their images, the first thing that came to my mind was the image of the deer as a frame. From this first image everything else started to unfold.
Working in the schools for these past ten years has taught me a lot about myself. In a moment when I wasn’t so sure about what to draw I ended up stepping into a new language which is something really exciting for me.
Back in class, after finishing the drawing on the wall ,we decided to suggest to the students the possibility of making a mural where the aboriginal aspects of drawing would be highlighted such as the flatness of the images, the tendency to ornate it with abstract motifs, the spiritual dimension of these expressions. I found myself saying to the students in a impromptu way that these drawings seemed to possess a universal quality that we could all relate to from the depths of our hearts. Being partly Brazilian native from my mother side I recognized this intrinsic connection in myself.
The students went on to make these great images of animals and native wild life. I think they were also surprised to find out they had this intuitive knowledge and capacity of expression in themselves.
I chose the song “Ñaumu” from the album “Ihu / Todos Os Sons” by Marlui Miranda for this video. It’s the music of the Yanomani Natives of Roraima in Brazil.
The song depicts an ancestral ceremonial dialogue practiced in various feasts and encounters when they exchange goods and news. They are the interpretations of cordial mannerisms, and has as its purpose to tighten the lassos which unite their peoples.
It’s a perfect way to honour the values of respect and collaboration highlighted in this project, which we truly lived while working on the wall for three days. Congratulations to the students!!
I hope you’ll enjoy it!!
Marcio Melo

Watch the video:

Teacher's Cut
This is another version of the video for Hadley Junior High School of the painting mural project done on February 22, 23 and 24, 2011.
I chose a different song this time, more alive and fitting to reveal how much fun the had.
Enjoy it!!!
Marcio Melo

Watch the video:

Symmes Junior High School

"Paysages du Québec"

Symmes Junior High School, Gatineau (Aylmer), Quebec            February 18, 2011

On February 16, 17 and 18 I worked on a mural project at Symmes Junior High in Gatineau.
I’ve done several murals in this school and they are the proud results of a collaboration with art teacher Sylvia Bretzloff.
This time we worked on a mural called “Le Paysage du Quebec“.
Sylvia spent a long time researching images that she thought would be appropriate to represent Quebec, but I have to say we worked in a very spontaneous way together, selecting more or less on the spot what we thought would be right.
She would show me the images and I would draw them on the wall. As it progressed I thought it would be interesting to leave these images in their natural state as line drawings, without having to paint them afterwards.
The students were very well prepared for this project. As I drew the images of Quebec on the wall I also left big empty spaces to be filled with their work creating the effect of stain glass windows as frames for their paintings.
They chose to portray the beauty and the variety of the wild life of Quebec as well as some historical scenes and folktales.
The juxtaposition of these beautifully crafted paintings and the rawness of the drawings depicting Quebec, created a mural that exudes a more contemporary feel to it. I’m proud once more for what was accomplished in this collaboration with Sylvia.
I chose the song “Corrrigan – Laundry” from Au Tour du Flageolet by Daniel Roy. This is a fantastic album of traditional Quebec music worth listening to many times. I’d like to thank Daniel Roy and Mario Gervais, one of great musicians on this album, for allowing me to use this song on the video.
To all the students I say, “You guys are great, keep up the good work!!!”
Marcio Melo

Watch the video:

Hull Adult Education Centre

"Sharing the Mythical Forest"

Hull Adult Education Centre, Gatineau (Hull sector), Quebec            February 9, 2011

On February 8 and 9 I worked on a mural project at The Hull Adult Education Centre.
The students decided on the theme of “Nature”. As the project advanced it was clear that we were dealing with nature in a mythical sense and therefore the title "Sharing the Mythical Forest“.
I chose the song “Shine” from Ricky Martin for the video. I enjoyed the lyrics who emphasised the importance of living in the present moment and making the best out of it, which I think is a perfect metaphor to the art of Painting.
As a final result the mural shows that there’s space for both individual and collective expressions when we’re able to work inside the frame of collaboration and mutual respect.
This was a great group to work with and I hope they are proud of what they accomplished. Congratulations!!!
Marcio Melo

Watch the video:

L'école St-Joseph

"Faces of Nature"

L'école St-Joseph, Montreal, Quebec            January 28, 2011

I worked with the students at St. Joseph's on the 26, 27 and 28 of January, 2011.
The theme for this mural was nature. Students made several collaborative drawings and the more I saw, I understood that we may be able to adopt a more specific theme. It was decided for the theme "Faces of Nature."
The students were excellent during the three working days and the result is fascinating.
Bravo!
Marcio Melo

Watch the video: