Abaco Integrative Art Program: Mural Painting in the Center of the Peas and the Mudd Community

On Sunday February 5th, we held class in the center of the Peas and the Mudd. We received permission to paint a mural on a building in Pigeon Pea, one of the two large Haitian communities in Marsh harbor where most of our students live. Students from all ages were able to join in at any point, and paint. About 25 local children participated including those who regularly attend our Sunday classes.

We began the mural by outlining a wave, a tree and some flowers on the plywood wall while the kids eagerly waited to start painting. Armed with new brushes and egg cartons filled with paint the kids jumped right in. The oldest girl who painted the sun and large flower was particularly dedicated to the process, wanting to assist in making decisions on placement of objects within the mural.

Soon there were too many children trying to paint the wall, as the mural began attracting more and more children. Luckily we anticipated this problem and brought a huge role of blue paper. Jaclyn and Jessica spread out a couple sheets of paper on the ground and quickly sketched an underwater scene. The children who did not have a spot on the mural immediately flocked to the paper, painting within the ocean scene.

As the day progressed the students quickly discovered the joys of finger panting and then body painting, discovering the joys of using paint, which many had not used before.

People walking by stopped to watch the process of the mural, which created a small audience. The mural was well received by the community. The children were very excited to paint and told us repeatedly it was their favorite project so far. Before we left some of the community members asked us if we would paint another building next week, which we look forward too.