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Promulgando Esperanza y Unión

Artists: Students from Kindergarten to 5th grade, Parents and Teachers Volunteers.

Acrylic Paints 251 x 48 Inches

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Enacting Hope and Togetherness Art Project

Mural  at Leal Elementary School

This project began with a shared idea of ​​community engagement and participation while providing a document that attested to the integration of the school community into the social and cultural history of this region during the uncertain time of the pandemic. The project demanded a lot of extra time from the participants and me beyond the family environment and the effort. He also established a routine of coming and working every Saturday that became an essential part of our lives during his realization. The drawing and painting workshops were based on social commitment and collaboration. These workshops reflected on shared experiences. Listening to the children was essential, and promoting their ideas was crucial. We heard how important social projects and practices are, especially during the uncertain pandemic. This project promoted cultural values ​​within a community and offered a shared physical and symbolic space open for creation and participation in an academic environment.

Proyecto Artístico  Promulgando Esperanza y Unión Mural  en la Escuela Leal 

Este Proyecto comenzó con una idea compartida de compromiso y participación de la comunidad, proporcionando al mismo tiempo un documento que atestiguaba la integración de la comunidad escolar en la historia social y cultural de esta región durante tiempo de incertidumbre por la pandemia.

El proyecto demandó de los participantes y de mí mucho tiempo extra más allá del entorno familiar y el esfuerzo. También estableció una rutina de venir y trabajar todos los sábados y se convirtió en parte esencial de nuestras vidas durante el período de realización del mural.

Los talleres de dibujo y pintura se basaron en el compromiso social y la colaboración. Estos talleres reflexionaron en torno a las experiencias compartidas. Escuchar a los niños era importante y promover sus ideas era fundamental. Vimos y escuchamos cómo este tipo de proyectos y prácticas sociales son realmente necesarios, especialmente durante este tiempo de pandemia incierta.

Este proyecto promovió los valores culturales entre una comunidad y ofreció un espacio físico y simbólico compartido, abierto para la creación y  participación en un entorno académico.

Project Leading and Guide Artist  Patricia Leon Q.

Proyecto Liderado y Guiado por la Artista Patricia Leon Q

2021-2022

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Project Sponsored by/Proyecto apoyado por

 Urbana Arts & Culture Program

Collaborating Partners/ Colaboradores:

 Urbana School District # 116

Leal School 

Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies CLACS, UIUC

Thank you to Our Sponsor and Collaborators

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Enacting Hope and Togetherness Project stretches beyond the experience of teaching how to draw, paint or create a mural by Leal Elementary School’s community members. The project engaged the school in a collective artistic creation providing a space and time to strengthen human relationships. It also was able to integrate not only the community of the school but, most importantly, the surrounding larger community through an integrated social activity. 

We wholeheartedly believe that building integrated communities that reflect new social realities provide spaces for dialogues about cultural belonging and community building. Through the development of this project, I also think that I helped to integrate the arts within the City of Urbana, creating a sense of place to promote art and culture. Additionally, the project helped foster the emergence of new artists who strive to preserve their cultural traditions and represent diversity and equal opportunities throughout collaboration.

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Working with the students’ partners was very important throughout the project. Thanks to the support of the Urbana Arts Grants Program and voluntary donations, we had access to a wide variety of materials to use during the workshops and the production of the actual mural. These funds were also fundamental to support the transportation of all materials and the organizing artist.           Leal Elementary School provided the project with a space used during the whole project to keep materials. With the assistance of the school principal, Adriana Ochoa, we were offered the required strategic support to develop the project. We were allowed to stay and use the school’s space as needed.           Another important collaborating partner was the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) at the University of Illinois. The Center provided us with all the printing materials and photocopies the project required to promote and disseminate the information about the workshops. As part of the project, CLACS has agreed to support the design and printing of a bookmark presenting the final result of the mural. In addition, the Leal PTA sponsored the bookmark printing. This promotional piece will promote this kind of extra communal activities students undertake in our community.

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Ribbon cutting Mural Opening  Cortando la Cinta de Inauguración 

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Mural Opening, May 7, 2022

Día de Inauguración del Mural, Mayo 7 de 2022

Leal School

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Several weeks working together

Varias semanas trabajando juntos

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Here, some Details, but still we need to continue working on the mural.

Aquí, algunos detalles pero aún necesitamos seguir trabajando en el mural.

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By implementing collaborative venues in which diverse opportunities for artistic expression are possible, the project will help revitalize the public role of art as a site of community building and cultural dialogue.