How do you spell art? On April 17, more than 15 young children would have answered F-U-N. That’s the day Big Picture Initiative and The Peoria Playhouse Children’s Museum co-hosted a mural making workshop. Artists Megan Couri and Jaci Musec spent the morning engaging children in the art of making public art, and they all had fun in the process.

Jaci Musec began the workshop by telling the kids, “Today is about big art—murals. When you are painting at a table, you are working on a small sheet of paper. Today we’re going to work big! These murals are bigger than some of you so you’re going to stretch and reach and make big movements. Reach up. Reach down. Most importantly, we’re going to have fun!”

Each family was given a 4-foot by 4-foot mural board to create their art, and the children were encouraged to experiment. There was no evaluation of what’s good or bad. The goal was to do art in whatever shape, color, or way the children wanted. They could try out different brushes to see the various effects, and there were a variety colors to use and blend. Some of the kids created shapes and outlines on the boards using tape and then added paint to the mural. When they peeled off the tape they had the joy of seeing those original designs revealed.

Throughout the workshop, Megan and Jaci worked individually with families who were socially distanced and encouraged break times when the kids walked around and looked at the art on the other boards. The class concluded with a mural painting exercise where each participant was given a brush movement or shape to paint on the collaborative mural.

Classes such as this are important for Big Picture Initiative because we believe that every child needs art experiences. Children need to feel the joy of creating whether it’s painting a mural, learning dance steps, or being in a play. Many of the parents who were in the mural making workshop feel the same way and said that they look for every art opportunity for their kids because they understand the value of the arts in their children’s lives.

The children who participated in the mural making workshop had a great experience that day, but the experience doesn’t end there. Their artwork will be on display outside the Playhouse and every time the family visits the park and the Playhouse, they will all feel pride in knowing that they have helped beautify our community.

How do we spell art? We would say S-M-I-L-E because that’s what we all experienced on April 17.

The Playhouse is scheduled to reopen on May 28 after a 14-month shutdown with enhanced safety protocols. We encourage everyone to check out the newest addition to public art in Peoria by visiting Glen Oak Park.