Murals In the Community

Murals have existed since ancient people painted animals on the walls of caves. At the time of the Renaissance murals were considered high forms of art, but during the last few hundred years the western art world severely downgraded the artistic worth of mural art. Today the community mural movement serves an important educational role by articulating, clarifying, and expanding community values. Through examining these murals as democratic art and education you can see that murals can be both aesthetically challenging and ask profound questions at the same time.

It has been shown in urban communities that visual images can be more effective in communicating messages to particular audiences. In the 1960’s and 70’s minority communities in the United States deployed visual images in the form of murals to resist racism, discrimination, and social injustice. Walls within urban neighborhoods became a medium for expressing arguments for solidarity, for ethnic pride and for political activism. All over the Midwest the arts are being cut from the educational curriculum. Limited access to art is becoming a problem. I think if some kind of mural program was implemented to combat this problem the communities will benefit. Murals on the walls of community centers, churches, and commercial buildings give total accessibility to the community. This community accessibility gives the murals a chance to educate and inspire, as well as affirm the identity of the people. (Barnett, 1984, p.38)

In order to show that community murals teach, strengthen, and represent the people in rural areas, I conduct research to provide a voice for people in the Mural...because it is for the people.

Dr. Palmer, Director - Bob Palmer Studios, Inc.
Office: 405-789-5813
Cell: 405-206-2438

Email: muralsbypalmer@hotmail.com