Mural at the Center for Independent Living
Created for the Fitness Room
Created for the Fitness Room
I painted this mural with assistance from a young peoples' group at the AACIL, various users of the facility, and a girl scout troop.
The idea began as an attempt to enlist artists with disabilities in working on public art projects in the Ann Arbor area. We are still hoping to get funding as space for that. The discussion led to a staff member saying they cold use a mural in the warehouse turned fitness area. I drew up several sketches and within a week had the go ahead to start this project. I provided them with a list of colors and they got the paint donated.
Painting began in May 2011 and painting was completed in August 2011. It spans about 60' in length.
One wall features birds playing ball, lifting weights and encouraging exercise. I worked on the "I ride" wall next. The theme connects with the center's annual across the state bike ride and their bike program which enables riders to use cycles that best match their needs and abilities. The hands only cycle was quite a workout. The last wall shows birds in exercise classes and using equipment.
Why birdsjQuery162024190198340961988_1318347674278 I got on a bird cartooning kick a while back and they seemed to fit as a way to show 'people' with various challenges, ages, body types, etc. I most definitely did not want to show 'perfect people with perfect bodies exercising. The birds make it more inclusive, humorous, and upbeat.
My challenge was to transform a warehouse space with white cinder block walls into a space that invites people in, encourages exercise, provides cheerful and interesting images to look at while using the equipment, add the illusion of space, and promote positive exercise ideas.
It provided people who work at the center and the clients to participate in this project and stretch themselves in the making of art, and give input as to what to include in the mural. Most of the phrases came from people who work at the AACIL.
My next steps are to include more textural elements on a couple of birds, so they can be felt. I also plan to create an audio, so those with limited or no vision can "see" the pictures. The voices of a few people describing the mural in addition to myself will also be useful for those with other issues.
I hope what I've learned in creating this can lead to more fully accessible works of public art.
The idea began as an attempt to enlist artists with disabilities in working on public art projects in the Ann Arbor area. We are still hoping to get funding as space for that. The discussion led to a staff member saying they cold use a mural in the warehouse turned fitness area. I drew up several sketches and within a week had the go ahead to start this project. I provided them with a list of colors and they got the paint donated.
Painting began in May 2011 and painting was completed in August 2011. It spans about 60' in length.
One wall features birds playing ball, lifting weights and encouraging exercise. I worked on the "I ride" wall next. The theme connects with the center's annual across the state bike ride and their bike program which enables riders to use cycles that best match their needs and abilities. The hands only cycle was quite a workout. The last wall shows birds in exercise classes and using equipment.
Why birdsjQuery162024190198340961988_1318347674278 I got on a bird cartooning kick a while back and they seemed to fit as a way to show 'people' with various challenges, ages, body types, etc. I most definitely did not want to show 'perfect people with perfect bodies exercising. The birds make it more inclusive, humorous, and upbeat.
My challenge was to transform a warehouse space with white cinder block walls into a space that invites people in, encourages exercise, provides cheerful and interesting images to look at while using the equipment, add the illusion of space, and promote positive exercise ideas.
It provided people who work at the center and the clients to participate in this project and stretch themselves in the making of art, and give input as to what to include in the mural. Most of the phrases came from people who work at the AACIL.
My next steps are to include more textural elements on a couple of birds, so they can be felt. I also plan to create an audio, so those with limited or no vision can "see" the pictures. The voices of a few people describing the mural in addition to myself will also be useful for those with other issues.
I hope what I've learned in creating this can lead to more fully accessible works of public art.
What would you like to see on a gym wall? Posters of perfect people? Does it matter who uses the space?
Some of the photos show "work in progress", areas now hidden by fitness equipment, and how the mural grew.
Some of the photos show "work in progress", areas now hidden by fitness equipment, and how the mural grew.
Some of the photos show "work in progress", areas now hidden by fitness equipment, and how the mural grew.
