Lesson video

Hello everyone.

How are you today? I hope you're feeling great.

My name's Ms. Afzal, and I'll be your art teacher for this lesson.

I'm pleased about that 'cause I love teaching art and also because today's lesson is about something that really means a lot to me.

It's about helping people, helping people in need.

Our lesson is called Families in Need: Building Community.

Community is something so, so essential I feel to our wellbeing, to have community, to share community, to enjoy community, and we're gonna be exploring that through our artwork today.

The lesson comes from the unity of work connections, home space and family.

So if you're ready with some focus, openness, enthusiasm, let's begin.

The outcome for today's lesson is I can design a mural for a community space.

We have some key words in our lesson.

Let's go through them.

Community, environment and mural.

So what do these words mean? Community.

This is a group of people living, working or socialising in the same spaces.

Environment, the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal or plant lives, a mural, a painting, or other work of art made directly onto a wall.

These are our key words, community, environment and mural.

Let's look out and listen out for them.

They'll be coming up in our lesson today.

Our lesson is called Families in Need: Building Community.

And it has two learning cycles.

First of all, building community cohesion through art and then designing a community artwork.

Oh wow, I cannot wait to get to that.

So let's begin by building community cohesion through art.

Here's a good question to start with.

What is community? Pause the video and share.

What do you think community means? Thanks for sharing your responses.

A community is a group of people who share something in common, like where they live, go to school, what they believe in or their interests.

Artwork helps create a stronger sense of belonging within the wider community.

It reminds us that every family matters and that together we can help shape a community.

It might look like a collaborative mosaic in a town centre, representing the diversity within families and community.

A mural in a hospital room, which helps families in moments of stress and worry.

Sculptures created and placed in a community garden for families who have no garden of their own.

Pause the video and share with someone.

Is there an artwork you've seen in your community? Thanks for sharing.

Everyone belongs to at least one community.

Types of community.

Some are place-based.

For example, people who share a home, town or country.

Some are supportive, family, hospital, school or friends.

Some communities are based around interests, sport, art, music.

Some communities are online, gaming, social media, and some are cultural.

People who share language or heritage.

Pause the video and share with someone what are some communities that you're a part of? Thanks for sharing your ideas.

I feel really lucky to be part of many different communities.

Think it's one of the best things in my life.

Lucas and Izzy are discussing communities, here's Lucas.

I didn't realise how many communities I belong to.

Oh, a bit like me, including home, my town, school, online gaming and scouts.

And Izzy, me too.

Apart from home, school and my city, I also belong to football, boxing and online social media communities.

Let's have a check for understanding, true or false.

There is no such thing as an online community.

Pause the video and decide.

Is that true or false? Well done if you selected false.

Pause the video while you say a little more about your answer.

Perhaps you said something like this.

Many people are part of online communities, including social media, gaming and support groups.

Art is a powerful tool for building community cohesion as it brings people together, helps tell shared stories and creates a sense of belonging.

Art acts as a bridge between families, cultures and generations within a community.

It might include family art workshops to help form friendships within the community and help with isolation, sculpture trails, mosaic ventures and community fences.

Turning green spaces into shared spaces.

Interactive art installations that invite families to write messages and share hopes over time.

Community play a vital role in supporting families by creating a network of care, connection and shared responsibility.

Being part of a community makes families feel connected.

It helps both adults and children feel seen, included and safe, which is essential for emotional wellbeing.

Pause the video and reflect for a moment on how does it feel for you to be part of the communities that you are part of? How does it support your emotional wellbeing? Thanks for reflecting on this.

Community art gives people a voice.

Walls can be turned into stories, struggles into symbols and public spaces into places of connection and hope.

Art turns ordinary places into landmarks, making them focal points within a community.

They can be places where we pause, where we rest, where we meet.

Can you think of an artwork that is a focal point within your own community? Pause the video while you do this.

Here's Andeep.

In my town, there is an art installation where huge photos of local people have been positioned all over.

The photos include all age groups, genders and ethnicities.

Sounds wonderful, and here's Sophia.

In our local park, there is a mosaic which stands in solidarity with refugees.

I often stop to look at it.

That is so lovely.

I love these kind of artworks that just get us to pause and connect and think of others.

Let's have a check for understanding, what is community? Is it A, a group of buildings in the same area? B, a group of people who share something in common and support one another, or C, a place where everyone thinks the same? Pause the video while you decide what is a community.

Well done if you selected answer B.

Indeed a community is a group of people who share something in common and support one another.

Art can reflect a community's history, culture and values.

Why is it important to reflect the history and culture of a community? Pause the video and share with someone.

Here's Laura.

Reflecting the history and culture of a community is important because it helps people feel seen, valued and connected to where they come from.

And Jun.

It keeps stories alive so young people know where they come from and feel proud of it.

Such wonderful answers.

Perhaps your answer was similar to these.

Art can spark conversations about important issues like justice, healing, or mental health.

We can see some fantastic artworks here sharing important ideas.

How might art have the power to spark important conversations about sensitive subjects? Pause the video and share with someone.

What do you think? Here's Sam.

I didn't realise that art could encourage people to talk about issues such as mental health or justice.

Seeing art that addresses these issues would really help families who are going through a tough time as they won't feel so isolated.

Great point.

And Aisha.

I think that sometimes an artwork can say what people find hard to put into words.

It also helps you know you are not alone.

I love that.

Such great reflections.

Many artists make art within a variety of community settings using a wide range of media.

These include Richard Bell uses installations, tents and protest art to speak about land rights, race and colonial history.

Anthony Gormley, who makes large public sculptures and outdoor installations, and Sayaka Ganz, who makes animal sculptures from reclaimed plastic and discarded household objects.

Art can powerfully change the environment within a community by transforming how people see, feel and behave in a space.

Art brightens dull or neglected environments, turning them into places people want to visit, care for and feel proud of.

Street art can reclaim public spaces for beauty and expression instead of decay or vandalism.

Check for understanding.

Art can change the proportion, environment or climate within a community by transforming how people see, feel and behave in a space.

Pause the video while you decide.

Well done if you selected environment.

Indeed artworks such as murals or public sculptures can change the environment in a community, transforming shared spaces.

And now it's time for your task.

I'd like you to think of a space in your school or community that would benefit from artwork.

Discuss, record or write down your answers.

How does this space make you feel? What kind of art could change it? So pause here while you have a go at this task.

Great feedback with you.

How did you get on? Let's hear from Laura.

When I visit the doctor, the reception area looks uninviting.

It makes me feel a bit miserable being there.

I think a beautiful painted mural would brighten up the waiting area to welcome people and make them feel less nervous.

What a great idea.

And Aisha, I think it would be great to have a room at the vets where families could go after losing a pet.

The artwork might be a collection of poems or photos of lost pets for the community to add to, that is a really, really sweet idea.

And Alex, I would love to see yarn bombed railings in our local park.

I think children in my community would appreciate some colour in a section of the park that is a bit rundown.

Another fantastic idea.

Love that.

Bringing in the colour.

And now we're onto our next learning cycle.

Designing a community artwork, designing a community artwork involves listening, respecting and including the people who live there.

It's important to consider the local environment involving the community in the planning or making of the artwork.

When designing a community artwork, it's important to reflect the diverse cultures, histories and languages of the community.

Symbols and signs that could be offensive and should be avoided include thumbs up, the okay sign, feet pointing up and holding up the index finger.

It's important to choose the correct materials when creating a community artwork.

For outdoors, waterproof and durable materials should be used.

What might your reaction be if you saw this installation and how might you engage with this artwork? Pause the video and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing your responses.

Certainly brings a smile to my face and I might like to engage with it by going up to it, taking a photo with it.

Perhaps sitting, looking out at this giant duck.

People of all ages, abilities and backgrounds should be able to engage with a community artwork.

The scale, visibility and environment should be considered.

Let's have a check for understanding, true or false.

Artists should only consider their own creative expression when creating a community artwork.

Pause the video and decide if this is true or false.

Well done if you selected false.

And now I'd like you to say a little more about your answer.

Pause the video while you do this.

Perhaps you said something like this.

It's important to respect the viewpoints, opinions and identity of the local community when creating a community artwork, the artist's creative expression is important but isn't the main purpose.

Many artists create their work using existing structures within the environment.

Magda Sayeg covers buses, statues, bridges and buildings with yarn bombing in the hope that she can stimulate conversation and connection in communities.

Here we can see an example of yarn bombing on that tree.

Fabrice Hyber blend science, nature and public participation in projects like "L'Artere." A path in a hospital designed with biological imagery.

Candy Chang turned a derelict wall in New Orleans into a chalkboard for community members to write down their hopes.

Before designing a community artwork, it's important to think about its purpose.

The purpose might be to beautify a space, share cultural identity, bring people together, honour history or heritage.

Let's have a check for understanding.

Which of the following best describes how artists work with communities to create artwork? A, they use art to advertise products for local businesses.

B, they create art alone and display it in museums. C, they reflect the community in creating artwork that reflects shared stories, needs or identity.

Pause the video while you decide which of these best describes how artists work with communities to create artwork.

Perhaps you selected answer C.

They involve the community in creating artwork that reflects shared stories, needs or identity.

Murals as an ancient art form hold immense cultural and historical significance, serving as a visual record of history and expression.

And we can see some painted murals in Abuna Yemata Guh.

Jacob and Alex are discussing the purpose of murals.

Have you noticed how a lot of murals are made after something big happens in the world? Like a crisis? Murals might say something political or maybe social, murals can express opinions, and Alex, art becomes a way to speak out or to make people feel less alone.

It's not just about decoration.

It's like a response.

From cave paintings to contemporary street art, murals reflect cultural values, environmental issues, and historical events.

What message do you think the artist is trying to get across? Pause the video and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing your ideas.

Perhaps you talked about the climate crisis and the disappearing polar ice caps and how that is affecting the lives of many creatures, including polar bears.

Murals are a form of artistic expression.

Some murals are designed and created by professional artists while others are created with help from the community.

Murals can be powerful tools for community engagement fostering a sense of pride.

How would this mural make you feel if it was in your community? Pause the video and share with someone.

I definitely find that one uplifting and welcoming.

Many mural artists create artworks on walls or public spaces to celebrate culture or to raise awareness.

These include Chila Kumari Burman, who explores themes of identity, heritage and empowerment in her murals.

Florence Blanchard whose murals often feature cell-like forms and microscopic patterns.

Mo Awudu, who aims to influence social change through his murals, and Mariusz Waras, who creates large scale urban murals and stencil works.

Careers related to being a muralist include community art facilitator, leading collaborative mural projects with communities, set designer, using mural skills to design backgrounds for theatre, film or events.

Art conservator, restoring and preserving existing murals and public art coordinator, organising and managing mural projects in cities or organisations.

Joan is planning a design for a community mural.

The location will be in his school wellbeing room.

The purpose of my mural is to create a soothing, calm, and positive mood in the wellbeing room at our school.

This room is really important in our school community as it is a quiet space for us to relax and manage stress.

Oh, I love the idea of a room like that.

I think every building should have a wellbeing room.

After considering the purpose of his mural, he thinks of the imagery and symbols that he wants to include.

As my mural is for the wellbeing room in school, I'll include a sun, which is a symbol of energy and a rainbow to show inclusivity.

Butterflies symbolise hope in some cultures and dragonflies represent change.

I'll add flowers for their beauty too.

You've really thought about this, Jun.

I love that.

Check for understanding, true or false.

Murals are a modern art form that focus on creative expression and decoration.

Pause the video while you decide if this is true or false.

Well done if you selected false.

And now I'd like you to say a little more about your answer.

Pause the video while you do this.

Perhaps you said something like this.

Murals are an ancient form of art that hold cultural and historical significance.

Murals continue to be a relevant and popular form of expression to reflect culture, environmental and social issues and historical events.

And now it's time for your next task.

I would like you to plan a mural design for a community space.

Consider the purpose of your mural, where the mural will be painted, the imagery and colour scheme, which members of the community might see your mural.

You'll need paper, pencil, rubber, wet or dry media of your choice.

So pause here while you plan a mural design for a community space.

So how did you get on? There are many possible design ideas for a community mural including, here's one from Laura.

I want to design a mural for our doctor's reception area.

It will be made from cells, neurons and DNA strands to form a landscape.

The purpose is to remind the community that we share common biologies regardless of heritage and culture.

Love your thinking there.

Next, I'd like you to gather imagery or photographs to inform your mural design.

You might take photographs or select relevant secondary source materials.

This could look like skin cells, DNA, cell tissue, for example, for Laura's idea.

So pause here while you gather imagery or photographs to inform your mural design.

So how did you get on with that part of your task? Here's Laura, I took photographs of images and diagrams from my science book and referenced internet images too.

The DNA strand is a big part of my design idea, so I definitely need to observe the shape.

And now I'd like you to draw the mural design onto paper and add colour using a medium of your choice.

So we can start here with a tree drawn lightly with a DNA trunk, skin cells added to represent the earth and neurons drawn for the sky.

Add on some colour and wow, look at that.

So pause here while you have a go at drawing your mural design onto paper and then adding colour using a medium of your choice.

How did you get on with creating your mural design? Here's Laura.

I've painted a tree and included many skin tones in the DNA tree to represent my diverse community.

I use calming colours overall because some neurodiverse people struggle with bright colours.

My mural will look great on the wall in the doctor's reception area.

It certainly will Laura.

In our lesson, Families in Need: Building Community, we've covered the following.

Artwork in a community is a form of creative expression that involves or represents a group of people, often created with or for a specific community.

It is usually collaborative, public and meaningful to the people who experience it.

Some murals are made by professional artists while others are created with help from the community.

Well done everyone for joining me with this lesson.

I loved exploring community, murals and collaborative artworks.

I hope you've enjoyed this lesson too, and I look forward to seeing you at another art lesson soon.

Until then, stay collaborative and creative.