Community Mural Initiative at Luis Muñoz-Rivera Elementary

Through the Artivism club, this project brought art and design into the classrooms of Luis Muñoz-Rivera Elementary School in Trenton, New Jersey. Working with students from kindergarten through third grade, we created a large-scale community mural that celebrated creativity, resilience, and shared identity.

Part I - Art Workshops

Each student contributed a personal artwork tile, expressing their “hopes“ and “dreams”. Introducing color theory, composition, and basic painting techniques, we guided students as they transformed their sketches into vibrant tiles. The workshops aimed to make art approachable and empowering, giving every child voice in the final piece.

Part II - Mural Creation and Installation

After collecting over three hundred individual tiles, our team compiled them into one cohesive design. I took part in the physical creation and installation process, helping mount and seal the panels for public display. Beyond teaching, I also organized and managed volunteer teachers to ensure each workshop ran smoothly and each student received one-on-one attention.

Part III - Community Impact

The completed mural now stands as a lasting piece of student expression and school pride, transforming individual voices into a shared symbol of creativity and belonging. Hearing that it was the “best day ever” and receiving personalised fanart underscored how meaningful hands-on creative experiences can be for young learners.

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