Big Picture
Big Picture provides young people ages 10 to 18 with mural training and visual arts education through four sequential sessions beginning in October and running through August.
It was a great experience. I never thought I'd work on an actual mural so I'm very proud.
—Monica Mathieu, Olney Senior, speaking about the mural she helped to create
In the first three sessions—which focus on community and social responsibility—students concentrate on foundational art skills, mural design, and small indoor or outdoor mural-making. The fourth session focuses on job training-students are involved in large-scale mural or mixed-media projects with professional muralists. Participants receive a modest stipend during this session.
Common Ground: Global Heritage, © 2007 City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program / James Burns and Big Picture Youth, Olney West High School, 100 W. Duncannon Avenue, Photo by Jack Ramsdale
Throughout each of the four sessions, participants learn progressively more complex skills, ranging from basic artistic techniques to advanced mural painting. Lessons are designed to help young people become creative and critical thinkers and to better prepare them for the workforce through problem solving and teamwork development. Each session ends with a student exhibition where family members, community leaders and neighbors are invited to see students' work, give feedback on mural designs, and celebrate completed mural projects.
The mural had a positive impact of bringing people together.
—- Dr. Rita J. Hardy, Principal, Olney West High School
Featured Project
Design In Motion: The Recycling Truck Project is a city-wide public art and graphic design project produced by the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program in collaboration with The Design Center at Philadelphia University. The project was commissioned by the City of Philadelphia Streets Department to coincide with the introduction of Philadelphia's new city-wide single-stream recycling program.
FLora and Fauna, © 2009 City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program / Desireé Bender, Photo by Steve Weinik
Site and Enrollment Information
The Big Picture program has open enrollment throughout the year. Download a Big Picture application and site list [134K PDF]* today.
Contact Information
For more information about the Big Picture program, please contact Lisa Murch, Coordinator, at 215.685.0751 or lisa.murch@muralarts.org.
Magic Wall, © 2004 City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program / Ana Uribe and Big Picture Youth, 1230 S. Woodland Avenue, Photo by Jack Ramsdale
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