Working+with+an+Artist-in-Residence

Working with an Artist-in-Residence
I am currently collaborating with Ms. Alison Zapata, and artist from Pittsburgh, PA, on an outdoor art project at one of my schools. This project is made possible in part by support from Gateway to the Arts, PA Council on the Arts, PA Game Commission, and Arts Educator 2.0. Students in fourth, fifth and sixth grades chose a big idea from the science curriculum to explore as a subject for their mural design. We explored these ideas together, and then the students worked independently on esigns that relate to our big idea. Once the students' ideas and designs were developed and refined, Ms. Zapata scanned the students' drawings and collaged them together in Photoshop to create an overall design for each mural.


 * Scope of Work: Murals for M.O.L.E. (Menallen Outdoor Learning Environment)**


 * 1. Project Description:** As a part of our ongoing development of an unused courtyard into an outdoor environmental learning center, students will plant perennials in the butterfly garden, decorate bird boxes, and paint murals in collaboration with an artist-in-residence from Gateway to the Arts. The theme of the murals will relate to science curriculum. A recent remodel left our school with several unsightly bricked-in doors and windows in the courtyard. Our plan is to transform those areas into aesthetically pleasing and curriculum-enriching art to enhance our environmental learning center.


 * 2. Student/Youth Involvement:** All of the students at Menallen School will be involved in actually painting the murals. The 4th, 5th and 6th grade students will collaborate with the art teacher and the artist-in-residence to design the murals. The murals will be painted on exterior grade plywood, then mounted to the brick walls.


 * 3. Correlation:**

Fourth Grade Science Standards include: Identify life processes of living things: //Students will illustrate life cycles of animals and plants in the murals.//

Seventh Grade Science Standards include: Compare life processes at the organism level with life processes at the cell level: //Students will illustrate life cycles at the organism and cellular levels in the murals.//

The curriculum guide to the murals, created in collaboration with science teachers at school, will include links to more advanced concepts, such as using a dichotomous key to identify plants and animals illustrated in the murals.


 * 4. Sustaining:** Once mounted, the murals will need a yearly application of protective clear coat. This would ideally be done over the summer by a youth group (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or the Art Club for example). The perennials will be maintained by students (pruning, deadheading, etc.). The bird boxes will be cleaned annually as part of a service project in cooperation with local Boy Scouts.


 * 5. Other Organizations:** Gateway to the Arts is providing an artist-in-residence in May to facilitate the creation of the murals. Arts Educator 2.0 and PA Council on the Arts are providing funds for the artist-in-residence. Support for the M.O.L.E. project has already been provided by many organizations, including DEP, Eberly Foundation and Lowe's.

a. Press release to local papers, publish on our art wiki page, and announce at the school board meeting. b. Write a curriculum guide to the murals, and make it available to teachers and youth leaders. c. This project will positively impact 360 young people and their families.
 * 6. Project Growth and Outcome:**