Worlds of Wonder with Susan Shanley: Celebration Murals
[Below, left: Celebration of the Native Peoples of the Northeast and the Natural World, a two-panel movable mural on canvas created by 27 young people. Project led by Susan Shanley and held at the Ndakinna Education Center Project, Greenfield Center, NY in 2004. Funded by the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, administered by the Saratoga County Arts Council.]
In this program, students explore symbols, patterns and designs from cultures around the world to create a magical mural that celebrates multiculturalism and/or natural diversity. Students may collaborate with their peers in overseas classrooms to explore cultural and artistic concepts; they may research traditional symbols, patterns and designs from various world cultures; and they may explore their own imaginations for personal symbols and metaphors -- all of which may be incorporated artistically into a lively and colorful, celebratory mural.

In the process of working together, amongst themselves and with their overseas partner classes, students build understanding and a sense of community. As they work, Susan plays background multicultural music. Depending on the timeframe, she may also incorporate student poetry, display artwork by children from another world region and show slides of those children or of other student-created symbol murals.
[Above and right: Details of Turtles, Frogs, Bugs, Birds, and Leaves, a 3-panel mural on masonite, created by 6th graders working with Susan and Val McCarney at the Gardiner Dickinson School, Wynantskill, NY, 2003. Funded by Questar III.]
Susan can complete murals with students in multiple workshops or in an extended residency. Discuss your needs with her to determine a curricular focus and a timetable. Optionally, Susan may also conduct this program in the context of a Martin Luther King, Jr. unit.
To participate in OneWorld Classrooms , you must register your class (or classes) separately from booking a school visit with Susan. Visit our home page to learn about participation options, fees and timetables, then use our online registration form to register.
Susan is also available to schools not participating in OneWorld Classrooms.
For more information about a school visit: Contact Susan at (518) 581-9250 or sshanley@nycap.rr.com.
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