Updated March 6, 2013       Français 

Collaborative Mural Workshops 2010

For Murals from other years please visit my Murals Homepage.

St. Dorothy Elementary School

"Fairy Tales"

St. Dorothy Elementary School, Montreal, Quebec           December 1, 2010

On November 29, 30 and December 1, 2010, I worked on a mural project at St-Dorothy Elementary School in Montreal.
This project took place at the local library. Considering this choice of location, the students were given the broad theme of reading to came up with images for the mural.
After the first day of exercises in class, it became clear that fairy tales ranked high in the students minds.
The mural is therefore an homage to castles, princesses, animals and the world of dreaming and imagination.
The result is indeed very inspiring.
Congratulations!
Marcio Melo

Watch the video:

Noranda School

"Together We Eat, Together We Play, Together We Succeed"

Noranda School, Noranda, Quebec           May 20, 2010

On May 18, 19, 20 I worked on a project at Noranda School.
It was my second project at this school and the first one to become a great video.
The mural was done in the Cafeteria. I made a background of different size squares composing a sort-of cubist table.
The theme was about healthy living and the importance of eating well. The students came up with great renditions of food in a variety of bright colours.
The table turned out to be a great visual feast!!
Bravo Noranda School!
Marcio Melo

Watch the video:

Westmount Park School

"Heroes"

Westmount Park School, Westmount, Quebec           May 7, 2010

From May 4th to 6th I worked at Westmount Park School in Montreal.
This mural was done on four sheets of plywood to be later installed on the walls.
The theme for the mural was "Heroes" and as you can see, there are many great ones on display. They range from historical figures such as Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Gandhi, to family members such as mothers, fathers and aunties.
The result is amazing!!! Great work!!
Marcio Melo

Watch the video:

École d'Éveil

"Alegria"

École d'Éveil, St-Nérée, Quebec           April 29, 2010

O the 27th, 28th and 29th of April, 2010 I worked at École de l'Éveil in Saint-Nerée de Bellechasse, Québec.
This project does not have a thême in particular, but the desire to express in images the beauty of nature and the importance of the school and its community are present.
Students added very beautiful characters. The colors of this wall are a bit paler than usual thanks to the suggestion of the school's principal, Ms. Fillion, who wished to create for his students an atmosphere of peace and harmony.
I thought it was well managed!
Congratulations students!
Marcio Melo

Watch the video:

Sherbrooke Elementary School

"Eating for a Better Life!!"

Sherbrooke Elementary School, Sherbrooke, Quebec           April 22, 2010

From April 20 to 22 I worked at Sherbrooke Elementary School.
It's my third project in this School and this time the idea was to create a mural on plywood that later would be installed in the Cafeteria .
I decided to draw a frame of food group items creating at the same time individualized spaces where the students would later place their images.
They seem to have had a lot of fun in this project and explored the theme to the fullest, such as people made out of fruits and vegetables as one of the ideas.
It's always a pleasure coming to this school where the staff is so supporting and encouraging.
I'm very pleased with the final result.
Great work!!
Marcio Melo

Watch the video:

St. Francis Elementary School

"Wishes for a Green World"

St. Francis Elementary School, Richmond, Quebec           March 26, 2010

From March 24th to 26th I worked at St-Francis Elementary in Richmond, Quebec.
The mural was placed on a very interesting curving wall close to the entrance to the School.
Teacher Louise Boudreau explained the students were learning about the importance of composting and were wishing for a mural that would highlight this concern.
They worked in class the first day and made these very interesting works on paper that you can actually see in the video.
As it happens in many projects these ideas flourished and came to represent not only a concern for composting but for the well being of our environment also.
The students participated very well in this project. It's great to see when they hold hands at the end forming a beautiful circle.
Great work, great inspiration!!!
Marcio Melo

Watch the video:

Écoles St. Philippe et Mond'Ami

"Uniting our differences and building our pride"

Écoles St. Philippe et Mond'Ami, Trois-Rivières, Quebec           March 20, 2010

On March 16 to 19, 2010 I worked in the schools St. Philippe et Mond'Ami in Trois-Rivières, Quebec with the participation of 156 students of both schools.
The thême of the mural was "The Difference". On the wall we see a series of imaginary characters with very unique characteristics. Beside these characters I created spaces for children who draw within it. The result is really very beautiful because its inside spaces are filled with drawings of students.
This project is really touching because it shows at the same time the beauty and challenges of being different in the world, whether inside ourselves or our outer appearances.
Recently I learned that this project won an award for its cultural aspects from the School Board. The Committee was delighted by the cooperation, the integration of the two schools, the originality of the wall and the posiblity of extending in the future.
I am very proud of this project! Bravo!!
Marcio Melo

Watch the video:

JFK High School

"Building a Better Community - Catch the Spirit"

JFK High School, Montreal, Quebec           March 12, 2010

From March 10th to 12th I worked at John F. Kennedy High School on a project called
"Building a better community - Catch the spirit".
The mural was done on three sheets of plywood to be later installed on one of the major walls of the school.
This project was done with the collaboration and planning of art teacher Barbara Gayles. Images were researched and selected prior to my arrival at the school. They represented some of the main events and community activities with which the students had had some involvement. These events included Remembrance Day, The Olympics in Vancouver and the Haiti earthquake relief.
This is my third project at JFK. I'm very proud of these students for the patience and dedication.
Great Job!
Marcio Melo

Watch the video:

General Vanier Elementary School

"Healthy Mind, Healthy Body"

General Vanier Elementary School, Montreal, Quebec           February 26, 2010

From February 24th to 26th I worked at General Vanier School on a mural project called Healthy Body, Healthy Mind.
This project took place in the lunchroom and had 24 participants.
The theme is vast and it ranges from sports to reading, from physical activities to anything that involves the use of imagination. On the first day in class the students were given these themes and came up with a variety of interesting choices. There was a great emphasis on eating well, which is very appropriate considering that the mural is in the lunchroom. Lots of fruits and vegetables, isn't that great?
I drew the top part of the mural where we see a series of bodies in movement: Skiing, running, playing, dancing....
The students were great and seem to have had a lot of fun. They were not afraid to express themselves, therefore you'll see some interesting moves on the painting floor !!
I say bravo and keep up the good work!!
Marcio Melo

Watch the video:

Lake of Two Mountains High School

"Animal Spiri, Free Spirit"

Lake of Two Mountains High School, Deux-Montagnes, Quebec           February 5, 2010

From February 3 to the 5th, 2010 I worked on a project at Lake of Two Mountains High School in Deux-Montagnes, Quebec.
When I arrived at the school on the first day the students were already busy doing sketches in preparation for the mural. The theme was nature and, more specifically, animal life.
These students were very involved in this project to the point of having discussed the composition and final details of the piece prior to it's execution.
I suggested the use of a colorful background to highlight their creations. The animals were placed inside these spaces.
It was amazing to see this project grow to it's final conclusion!
I'm proud of this group for their single minded sense of dedication. Cheers!!!!!!!
Marcio Melo

Watch the video:

École St. Joseph

"Dancing Nature"

École St. Joseph, Ville D'Anjou, Quebec           January 21, 2010

On January 19, 20 and 21, 2010, I worked at St. Joseph School in Ville D'Anjou. The theme of the mural was "nature". This is a fascinating topic in that it allows you to select images that are already part of the repertoire of students. We made several collaborative exercises in class.
The result is a work which shows several characters, realistic and imaginary, which share the same space. I must say thank you to nature for its presence either on the outside or on the inside of ourselves, and for the inspiration it brings!
Bravo!
Marcio Melo

Watch the video:

Mountainview Elementary School

"Framing Nature"

Mountainview Elementary School, Deux-Montagnes, Quebec       January 15, 2010

On January 13, 14 and 15, 2010, I worked on a mural project at Mountainview Elementary School in Deux-Montagnes, Quebec. This was my first project of the season and I really liked it!
The Mural was done on a series of lockers that were beautifully primed on white.
I decided to compose my background drawing taking in consideration the fact that these lockers create both a sense of continuity ( when the doors are closed) or isolation ( when the doors are open).
The result is a series of framed spaces where the students placed their images, emphasizing their individuality.
The filming of the Video provided the students with innumerable acting possibilities. When the doors are open ,the lockers create an accordion effect allowing the students to go in or come out of it, creating these interactive spaces.
The music used in this video is absolutely wonderful and create a sense of timelessness around this experience. I hope you'll enjoy it!
Marcio Melo

Watch the video: