Time Murals can be Created Anywhere

As we celebrate ten years as community artists, we are proud to share our pioneering, innovative approach, and twenty fabulous community art murals. We work with groups to make mosaic murals in which participants collaborate in all creative aspects of a project. Our unique design practice integrates the creative work into the group process, transcending the usual limits of working together.

Sample Schedule

Each meeting starts with inclusion exercises that foster group work and democratic practice. We brainstorm for themes and draw visual symbols to illustrate them. Next, we draw with the masonry materials. Individuals make pieces (aka 'blobs') over which they have solo ownership, and ones that go into the group project, gaining both ways. We build a collage, through several steps, and address creative concerns in all stages of the execution of the work. A safe working environment is maintained at all times.

Detail from the West Virginia Univeristy Institute of Technology, 1996

step 1. Discuss basic plan: givens and variables, go over whole process, look at pictures, brainstorm for theme and visual symbols to represent theme. Develop collaboration skills with inclusion exercises. Study collage approach and technical aspects using 2-D design exercises.
step 2. Draw on paper. Fix theme and basic vocabulary of visual symbols, submit for approval. Study visual elements, brainstorm for composition options. Look at materials, study resource use.
step 3. Mix concrete, make 'blobs'. Work on overall composition.
step 4. Draw on surface, starting with mirror line and large compositional elements. Begin to glue mirror and blobs onto wall.
step 5. Glue tiles.
step 6. Grout and clean and CELEBRATE!

Note: each of these steps can take one meeting or more, depending on the size and needs of the group and the scale of the project.

Betton Hills Prepatory School in Tallahassee, Florida, 1998

In our work, we witness remarkable results: individuals and communities transformed through the arts. We feel honored to be part of this new way to work together, the artist sharing the creative process, creating positive change as we create a wonderful, lively work of art. We have a very special working method, and we would like to work with your group to make something great in your community.

The question you may be asking is 'How good will the quality be on a project created by kids?' You may also wonder about maintenance and life expectancy.

The answers to these questions are surprisingly cheerful. The quality will be excellent and there is no maintenance. The mural will look consistently beautiful for years to come.

We use established construction methods and procedures in a detailed working process, with materials, surface preparation, application,site conditions,and proper curing of materials in mind.

Our commitment is to safety and quality at the highest standard, to ensure that your community art project will last as long as the warm memories held by the people involved!

We have an engaging study guide to prepare your group for a mural project. Designed for student use in the classroom, three content areas are addressed in a hands-on way: visual art projects, cooperative skills, and history of mosaics.

Tile murals can be created anywhere! Proper conditions can be generated at virtually any site.

     Baker/ Levine
     Box 1601
     Lewisburg, WV 24901
     (304)645-2795
     levinejessica@hotmail.com