D.O.V.E.'s Mural Project

Value:  Learning how to approach a public art project from inception to completion, including planning, proposal/grant writing, design, execution, and publicity. (as well as 25 % of your total grade).

First:  Review the materials provided in the "Art and the Public" and "Art and Healing" sections of the course website (both are listed under "Themes in Contemporary Art"). Listen to class lecture/discussion on these topics. Learn from both fieldtrips--to LEXARTS (September 2) and to the D.O.V.E.'s shelter (September 7), as well as the guest speakers. Li Dengfong and Bethany Kalk have agreed to serve as consultants for this project.  Read the descriptions of the group work provided below carefully.  While everyone will commit at least two hours to painting on the mural, each of you will have a specific assignment/responsibility that contributes to its completion, documentation, and/or public awareness of the project. 

Next:  Select the group you would like to work with and provide me an application for that position that outlines the skills you have developed that would make you a good "fit" for the job by September 9. Include a "second choice" in your application. Our timeline here is slightly flexible, but in order to finish this work by the end of the semester we are going to have to be very mindful of due dates.

Then: Collaborate with your group and give this your best effort. Most worthwhile projects require the participation and cooperation of more than one person.  Part of your learning process with this project is to build skills in working effectively, productively, and harmoniously, with others.  Your grade will be assigned based on your own individual work/contribution. However, if it becomes clear that you are NOT working with your group and are instead insisting on going it alone (for instance, to "protect" your own grade or to insure that something is "done well," etc.) to the detriment of others and the overall project, there will be a deduction in your grade. You are not responsible for what others do not do, but a group effort means respecting the talents of others and accepting that there are multiple ways to accomplish a goal. Not everyone will have the same skills or natural ability. The goal here is to both learn how to approach a complex project while working collaboratively and also to use your talents to make a difference for community members going through some very difficult times. The mural will be a community effort. Graduate students will take a leadership role in coordinating a group. All students will need to provide a reliable way for others to contact them outside class. This means if you provide your e-mail, you must check your e-mail regularly and take responsibility for making sure your inbox is not full. 

Finally:  Each student must submit a summary of the work you completed by December 2.

Designers

This group will be responsible for creating a design that is acceptable to the D.O.V.E.'s staff AND to members of Groups #2 and #3, who will have primary responsibility for painting.  The design should take into consideration the individuals served by the shelter--their ages and needs, as well as the staff who care for the residents.  The design must also take into consideration the location and space of the mural, as well as the available students and volunteers to paint the mural and probable level of funding.  This group will initially create a small sketch of the design TO SCALE ) and will then also develop large, full scale cartoons to be used by the painters. 

Initial Sketch(es) of Design(s):  September 21
                    Final cartoons:  October 10

1.  Cecily Howell

2. Brandon Thacker

3. Courtney Lumpkin

4. Shonna Dotson

5. Janine Keller

6. Mikey Ash

Coodinator: Michelle Dillon

Painters

This group will actually complete the painting of the approved design(s).  Li Dongfeng has agreed to serve as a technical resource for the project and can help the group strategize about panels, other materials, and group painting approaches.  This group will need to submit a list of required supplies to the proposal group, who will be working on the funding aspect of the project.  Group members will also be responsible for making certain that supplies are put away and clean up is completed after each painting session. 

Due Dates   Initial List of Supplies Required: September 28 (other specialty items may need to be added depending on the nature of the design)
                     Begin Painting:  Around October 13 (ie. as soon as supplies and cartoonss are available)
                     Completion of Painting: November 30

1.  Josh Reed

2.  Gilbert Sutherland

3.  Alaina Rhinesmith

4. Lauren Decker

5. Megan Arnold

6. Karri Smith

7. Josh Wolfe

8. Taral Thompson

Coordinator: Ashleigh Mullins

Proposal and Funding

This group will develop a proposal and request for funding that will be submitted in person to area businesses and to campus representatives.  I can accompany students to the businesses when you are making your presentations, if you would like.  You are to solicit supplies and/or donations for the mural  itself (Walmart and Lowes, the University) and for the opening reception for residents (Fuzzy Duck, Slones Market, Kroger).   You will need the sketch from the designers, as well as the list of supplies from the painting group to do your work.

Due Dates    Draft of Proposal: September 30
                      Visits to Area Businesses and University Administration: Beginning October 1
                     

1. Mary Hartley

2. Travis Hall

3. Kate Jennings

Coordinator: Whitney Sibcy

Documentation and Publicity

You will be responsible for the documentation and publicity of the project, as well as for organizing an opening reception for the residents.  All aspects of the project should be documented:  planning meetings, fieldtrip to the shelter (but remember, this must be done with confidentiality--no photos of any residents), meetings with area businesses and/or representatives of the businesses donating funds/supplies, as well as students actually at work designing and painting the mural.  This means you will need to stay in communication with the members of other work groups.  The digital images can then be submitted, along with a press release, to the University press channels. The digital files should also be organized into a powerpoint and/or website with basic narrative and captions. 

Due Dates      Initial Press Release:  October 26
                       Submission of Documentation:  December 7

1. Angie Gregory

2. Jeremy Strickland

3. Nikki Hoback 

Coordinators: Josh McElroy and Gloria Stepp