5 Simple Ways to Add Colour and Creativity to Your School or Community Space
Have you ever set foot in a space that was starkly painted white, or worse- grey. Maybe it was dated bricks or tiles, and there was no LIFE in the room? Perhaps it felt clinical, or cold- not inviting and certainly not ready to inspire.
Creating spaces that feel good are vital. Especially in schools and community spaces (also in your home, but thats another blog post) where children and adults alike go to learn, grow and evolve. We can’t do this unless we feel safe, seen, heard and valued. Grey interiors definitely scream discipline and order, but they certainly don’t spark joy.
This guide is a little nudge for teachers, community leader, curious parents, community organisations and anyone wanting to make their space one that ignites a little fire in the people they want to inspire.
IDEA 1: Create Spaces That Feel Like They Belong to the People in Them
We want kids (lets be real, ahem, all humans) to feel like they are welcome and safe in any space they set foot in- that’s where colourful, inspirational, bold murals are a perfect idea. They can bring a bang of colour to a space that otherwise felt lifeless, they bring people together whether through the collaboration and creation of the mural itself or in its planning- but also in shared experiences and desires. We want our people to be proud of their space. We want them to say and feel like “This is mine. This is for me. Let me share it with you“. Bathrooms, staff rooms, hallways, bedrooms, courtyards- the possibilities are endless. I’ve painted all of the above, and there’s not ever been an instance where the space hasn’t felt instantly injected with fun and joy once painted.
IDEA 2: Start Small – Think Doors, Corners, or Bathrooms
You don’t have to commit to a whole wall- think and start small. Perhaps your sick bay needs some love. Corners of an overlooked front office, bathroom or school hall doors, above mirrors, or in archways - these are some overlooked areas that are perfect for bursts of colour or an inspirational message or two. All it takes is one passing glance to pull you from a funk, one little message of hope- or even spotting your fave colour to shift the energy- that’s what I am here for.
That’s what this is all about. Changing the trajectory of someones day, one colour at a time.
IDEA 3: Use Art to Tell a Story or Reflect Values
Perhaps you want to paint a mural that welcomes people to your school. Maybe it’s a mural that literally lists your school values with a visual representation of this- make it something people will remember and think back to. I love it when a school is open to exploring beyond their school values and really asking the student body what THEY think needs to be a message. How do THEY want other students to feel. Older students guiding younger. How do visitors want to be treated? How do the student body want to be remembered? Student collaboration and brainstorming is a MUST in my opinion- the teachers always have wonderful ideas, but you’d be surprised at the ingenuity and creativity of kids. It never ceases to amaze me.
IDEA 4: Make it Interactive
Murals can be created collaboratively- you just have to be open to some planning and prep- letting student and teachers see the vision is important- working together towards a collective end result always helps. People like clarity after all!
In workshops, I often sit with students and teachers and pull out paint swatches, and bushes to help visualise what we are working with. Choosing a palette and designing a mural that works within a chosen theme always helps. We can choose slogans, a statement- students and staff (or community) can vote for their favourite idea based off mockups that can be drawn- there are so many ways to include people beyond the painting. the painting side of things can also work- when students join in, theres a sense of ownership and direction that goes deeper than the creation itself. It can instill pride and power in the cohort, and really gets everyone excited to try something big, bold, and creatively risky! I wish I had someone when I was at school to show me that this mural painting thing is possible- I want to be that example . And I want to leave a lasting memory in mural (and workshop form) for students to remember. Even something as simple as adding hand prints to a mural, so that students can point out their input and are valued and recognised in a project that perhaps felt out of reach for them.
The other really fun thing you can do if you’re afraid to commit to something permanent like a mural- and run a pop-up mural event. These are interactive and tick all the collaboration boxes.
IDEA 5: Bring in a Local Artist (👋 hi!)
Working with a professional artist (like me) not only takes the stress of “will it work out” off the table, but it can be a super fun and exciting process. We take care of the prep, the design, the painting (or outlining where the students will leave their mark), and we organise all the nitty gritty things that you might forget ((or be overwhelmed by- hello knowing how many brushes, rolls of tape, chalk, and tins of paint are required per square metre!). I can work within your budget, and offer ideas and alternatives if you’re feeling stuck. I can come out and meet with you just to discuss ideas, and see if we are a good fit.
I can run workshops to help teach you how to make your own mural, or we can go through the whole process start to finish together. I could help create and facilitate a popup mural workshop, or even come and give an artist talk that inspires you to transform your classroom. The possibilities are endless- but it all starts with a convo.
When I work with schools or council groups, the process is pretty similar or each project.
I come out and say hello, and have a look at the space you’re dreaming of transforming. I jot down some notes including the measurement of the space(s), take some photos of the area, and note down the surface (are we talking cement render, brick, ply, or are we going for a flooral (floor mural). This is a no obligation meeting. I can send you a quote based on what my general fees are, and give you a ballpark in the meeting so you have clarity. If I leave and we are not a fit, all I ask is you just let me know so I don’t go and get all excited dreaming up ideas and getting carried away (it’s been known to happen!). If w are a fit and you feel like YES lets move forward.. then we move to step 2.
I’ve sent you a quote, which includes fees for a mockup. I generally draw 3 designs, and you get to refine these 3 times. So, you can be picky and choosy about the things you like/don’t like and we can get to work. We will end up with one design and once I start (step 6 onwards) I will get it on your wall in what will seem like record time. Trust me, things move fast around here.
If you decide to hold a brainstorming workshop with the students, I factor this in, and chat with them before I do any drawing.
We book in a time and date, and I send you a deposit invoice (generally about 20% of the project to cover paints and planning time).
I source all supplies required, and rock up on the agreed date, ready to work!
If we are including students and staff in painting, I need a day or so to prep the wall and get the design laid out, then the following day, we will be ready to roll. I will guide any painting. help with brushwork, paint selection and the flow of the activity.
We create some magic, I document the process on socials, taking a bunch of photos, and time lapse videos.
Once it is all finished, I send you the final invoice and any photos should you want them, and you get to enjoy a transformed space and the good vibes it no doubt brings.
Think I would bring some magic to your space and want to chat? Send me an email- I’m here to help.
If you have any questions about painting a mural, or bringing colour and creativity to your space- I am here to help.
Come follow me over on @genandtonicart and hopefully I inspire you to shift the energy in your space.