Art History and Community Connections · Term 4

Public Art and Murals

Investigating how art in public spaces reflects the values and stories of a neighborhood.

About This Topic

Public art and murals are essential for connecting students to their local communities. In Grade 2, the Ontario curriculum emphasizes the role of art in society. Murals are not just decorations; they are visual stories that reflect the history, values, and diversity of a neighborhood. By studying public art, students learn that art belongs to everyone and can be used to celebrate local heroes, commemorate events, or beautify shared spaces.

This topic encourages students to look at their surroundings with fresh eyes. They explore how the location of art, on a brick wall, in a park, or at a subway station, changes its meaning. This topic is particularly effective when students engage in community-based investigations, such as a 'mural walk' or a collaborative project where they design a mural that represents their own school's unique identity.

Learning Objectives

• Identify specific elements within a neighborhood mural that represent local stories or values.
• Analyze how the location of a public mural influences its message and audience engagement.
• Design a concept sketch for a mural that communicates a positive story about the school community.
• Explain why a community might choose to commission a mural for a public space.

Before You Start

Elements of Art and Principles of Design

Why: Students need a basic understanding of line, color, shape, and composition to analyze and create visual art.

Representational Drawing

Why: The ability to draw recognizable objects and figures is helpful for designing a mural concept.

Key Vocabulary

Mural	A large painting or other artwork applied directly to a wall or ceiling, often found in public spaces.
Public Art	Art created for and placed in public locations, accessible to everyone, such as parks, streets, and buildings.
Community Values	The shared beliefs, principles, and standards that are important to the people living in a particular neighborhood or group.
Neighborhood Story	A narrative or account that reflects the history, culture, or significant events of a specific local area.
Audience	The people who see or experience a piece of art, and how the art might communicate with them.

Active Learning Ideas

Gallery Walk: Virtual Mural Tour

Display photos of famous murals from across Canada (e.g., Chemainus, BC or Montreal's Plateau). Students move in groups to identify common themes like 'nature,' 'history,' or 'diversity' and record what they see.

⏱ 30 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Inquiry Circle: The School Story Mural

In small groups, students brainstorm one thing they love about their school. They each draw a small 'tile' representing that idea, and the class assembles them into a large paper mural to see how their individual stories fit together.

⏱ 45 min·Whole Class

Generate mission

Think-Pair-Share: Art for Everyone

Ask students: 'If you could put a giant painting anywhere in our town, where would it be and why?' Students share their location and subject choice with a partner, focusing on how it would help the people who live there.

⏱ 15 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Real-World Connections

Local city councils and arts organizations commission murals to beautify neighborhoods, deter graffiti, and celebrate local heritage. For example, the 'Graffiti Alley' in Toronto features ever-changing murals created by artists, drawing tourists and locals alike.

Community art projects often involve local residents and artists working together. In Vancouver, the Skwachàys Lodge Gallery features Indigenous art and hosts workshops, connecting visitors to the stories and traditions of the Coast Salish people through visual art.

Businesses sometimes commission murals for their exterior walls to attract customers and express their brand identity. A bakery might commission a mural depicting local produce or historical town scenes to create a welcoming atmosphere.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Students may think that murals are the same as graffiti or 'vandalism.'

What to Teach Instead

Explain the concept of 'commissioned' art, where a community asks an artist to create something. Discussing the purpose of the art (to tell a story or share a message) helps distinguish it from unauthorized markings.

Common Misconception

Children might believe art only belongs in museums.

What to Teach Instead

Use a 'neighborhood art hunt' to show that art is all around us. Peer discussion about why art is placed in public (like parks or hospitals) helps them see art as a community service.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Present students with images of two different murals, one on a busy street corner and another in a quiet park. Ask: 'How does the location change how you see the mural? Who do you think the artist wanted to talk to in each case? Why?'

Exit Ticket

Give each student a small piece of paper. Ask them to draw one symbol or image that tells a story about our school and write one sentence explaining what it means. Collect these to see their understanding of visual storytelling.

Quick Check

During a 'mural walk' (virtual or in-person), ask students to point out one detail in a mural and explain what local value or story it might represent. Use thumbs up/down for quick comprehension checks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can active learning help students understand public art?

Active learning, like the 'School Story Mural' project, allows students to experience the collaborative nature of public art firsthand. They learn that a mural requires negotiation, shared vision, and a consideration of the audience. By 'investigating' their own community's art through gallery walks, they move from being passive observers to active critics who understand that art has a social purpose and a specific 'home' in the world.

What is a mural?

A mural is a large-scale artwork, usually a painting, applied directly to a wall, ceiling, or other large permanent surface.

How can I find local public art to show my class?

Many Canadian cities have 'Public Art Maps' online. You can also use Google Street View to 'walk' past murals in your own city or other parts of Ontario.

Why do communities invest in public art?

Public art makes spaces more welcoming, tells the history of the area, supports local artists, and can even help people feel safer and more connected to their neighbors.