Pierrefonds, Québec
Collaborative Mural Painting - Marcio Melo
As part of the Culture in Education Partnership - Artists in Schools Program of the Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications, Marcio Melo guided a mural workshop at Riverdale High School in Pierrefonds, Quebec. This program brings artists into the schools to share their artistic activities with young people. This page outlines the project at Riverdale High.
Collaborative Mural Painting Workshop
The workshop plans and executes a monumental collaborative painting (mural) over three days. The scale of a mural fosters great freedom of expression and artistic accomplishment within the context of cooperation and compromise.
Prior to my arrival, the theme is decided according to local interests. Students research elements relating to the theme.
The first day looks at collaboration (boundaries - keeping or crossing them) and painting (balance, colour, composition), especially as it relates to monumental works (seen from a distance). Drawing exercises on a small scale practice collaboration. Exercises are analyzed. The mural is prepared.
The second day the mural is painted. Discussion continues on the elements of painting, collaboration and introduces the art of compromise (individual versus group identity).
The third day we discuss, "Is it finished?". After analysis of the elements of a monument, the group decides, and finishes if necessary.
Marcio Melo (artist)
The theme for this mural was proposed spontaneously.
"Things That Fly" gave the students many possibilities and ideas to explore.
As a result, the mural is rich in variety with birds and bees and myths, legends and superheroes.
This group can certainly fly in their imagination.
As one of the muralists wrote, "No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings".
Marcio Melo, March 2001
The First Day - Drawing Collaboration
Drawing Collaboration Results
Colour Exercise
Colour Exercise Results
The Second Day - Working on the Mural
The Third Day - The Finished Mural
The Final Mural
Some of the Muralists