Benefits of School Mural Art

What is mural art?

School mural art refers to large-scale paintings or artworks that are typically created directly on a wall or other permanent surface. These artworks can range in size from small pieces to entire buildings and are often created with the intention of enhancing public spaces and making art more accessible to the general public.

This art form is not limited to one style or technique – artists can get as creative as they want, from abstract shapes and patterns to realistic portraits and landscapes. Often, mural artists work with the community to create designs that reflect local culture and history, making the art even more meaningful.

Why commission a mural?

A school mural is not only a great tool to inspire creativity and learning, it can act as a time capsule. Encouraging students to be imaginative and creative can benefit their learning. Working together to create mural ideas for schools can allow the school community to come together. The mural represents thoughts, feelings, school ideologies and captures them with paint. Students, teachers, families and community members can look upon a mural for years to come. Remembering the school spirit of the time!

A custom mural is also unlike any other! Artists create designs specifically inspired by the school they are working with. Students’ concepts and school achievements can be memorialised and highlighted.

What are the benefits of mural art?

Murals are also a brilliant way to beautify a less than appealing area. Concrete and cement? No problem. Wall murals for schools bring a vibrancy and celebrate school spirit, whilst simultaneously supporting the local art community. Young students interested in art will be able to bear witness to the opportunities available for artists.

Murals become an opportunity for even passersby to acknowledge characteristics of the school through their mural art. Designs can share stories, histories and milestones important to the school.

Educational wall murals for schools can be used to provide information to students during play time. Murals for elementary schools could be designed to incorporate simple mathematics. Whereas high school wall murals could feature geographical maps or pinnacle moments from history.

FIVE OF OUR FAVOURITE SCHOOL MURAL PROJECTS:

1. Toongabbie West Public School in Australia

Toongabbie West School were looking for something bright and vibrant to cover some bare walls. They reached out to Darren, a mural artist from New South Wales, to help them create a design featuring local flora. The space? Two storeys of wall ready to be transformed into a colourful Australian landscape.

2. Ferry Lane Primary School

There’s nothing more exciting than a colourful mural full of wildlife to spot and name. Ferry Lane Primary School hired Petra to host a workshop for the students. Together they built inspiration for the final design that would be painted on their playground wall. 

“Petra has completely transformed our playground with a beautiful mural that captures the wildlife in our local area, and engaged our children through a fun and interactive workshop.” Lisa, a representative for the school shared with us. “She really incorporated the children’s ideas and, from the initial design through to the final touches, Petra has been wonderful – she has an eye for detail, is friendly and adaptable, and has been an absolute pleasure to work with. Her creativity and talent as well as her warmth towards children has made her well-loved in our school community!

3. Thames Ditton Infant School

A representative of Thames Ditton Infant School commissioned Valdengrave to help embellish a previously installed forest themed vinyl. 

“Valdengrave is a quite thorough worker. He enhanced a mural that we started but didn’t know how to fill the space. The mural is in a busy area in a school hall and all the children and adults enjoyed watching the painting come together. He is very skillful and was happy to discuss any changes we wished to make. We have taken the opportunity to discuss a future project with him and look forward to having him back on site to bring our school vision together.”

4. Gatton State School

Australian artist Barry worked together with the student council of Gatton State School to update a truly out of date mural on their grounds. Allowed creative freedom, Barry said he managed to incorporate plenty of elements into the new design. Resulting in an “iSpy” game for the kids. 

5. Yass Public School

Yass Public School had plans to commission a piece of mural art for quite some time. Unfortunately, COVID presented the school with some scheduling issues. Eventually, through Book An Artist and some fundraising, Yass Public School connected with Maxim and Rozelle to create a unique mural for their campus.

“The design by Max and Roz just stood out, we loved it. It was contemporary and colourful – exactly what we wanted, even though we hadn’t known what we wanted.”

Read more about it: A schools search for a mural artist!