Ms. Jaqueline Collins’ Art Foundations 11 and 12 class had the opportunity to visit Lions Park and work on a mural under the instruction of artist-in-residence, Aurelia Bizouard. This communal painting was a chance for students to put their skills to the test. According to Collins, it was a once in a lifetime experience that many will not be forgetting anytime soon. The mural itself is meant to provoke feelings of community, belonging, and happiness, as stated by Bizouard.
Bizouard was hired by the city of Port Coquitlam to paint murals around the city. The goal of her work is to connect the viewer with art and focus on a metaphor for life and humanity. Coming from Paris, France, this artist offers a unique perspective on what it means to contemplate living.
Murals themselves have a unique way of appealing to the population. They offer a sense of reverie and a chance to truly come to a standstill, a rarity in our busy society. What makes a mural wonderful is not only colour and design, but the impact of the overall picture. Ideally, it remains meaningful to people for years to come, not just in the moment. “The goal of the painting was to bring groups of people together through art,” said Collins.
Prior to Riverside student’s arrival, young children came and worked on the mural as well. The goal for the students was to create something out of the abstract works done the day before. It was a design challenge as well as a creative one. “I enjoyed myself, though I wish there were more paint colour options,” said Yejin Park, grade 11 student.
The art of the mural is frequently used to bring messages to the people. Often, they are attempts to bring light to an important (though often overlooked) issue. In the case of the students and Bizouard, the message was one of belonging and inclusivity.
Feature photo credit: Google Images
