Mural Arts Program enlists help of students from Ireland

By Jen McShane
Collegian Staff
November 7, 2007

Philadelphia made a new addition to its art collection Oct. 30 with the unveiling of a new mural. A group of students from Dublin, Ireland came to Olney in August 2007, their second visit to Philadelphia during the summer. The Dublin students joined with individuals from Olney High School to help create a mural that celebrates global heritage.

The mural and costs of transporting the students was sponsored by the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. The combined students came from similar neighborhoods, despite being separated by an ocean. Dublin is and has been a target for attacks, not unlike Philadelphia’s recent dangerous crime waves.

Jane Golden, the director of the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program said that she visited Dublin and Belfast about five years ago. Her main goal was to study the murals of Ireland and Northern Ireland, but became interested in setting up a program to bring students into Philadelphia. Her goal is to spread diversity, and at the same time, help regenerate some of Philadelphia’s neighborhoods.

After negotiations spanning almost five years, Golden’s goal finally became a reality when it was decided that a group of students would come from Dublin. The location for this bicultural mural was set for Olney High School at 100 E. Duncannon Ave. “We decided to do a mural on the side of Olney High school because this is such a racially and ethnically diverse school,” said Golden.

The Internet played a large part in the production of the mural. Students from both countries kept in touch online, swapping ideas through email and instant messaging. Students also used the Internet to keep in touch with artist James Burns, a Philadelphia mural painter who was going to help direct students in the final painting and designing of the mural on Olney High’s wall.

Burns said that he was surprised to see the over 100 students from different cultures work so well together. He admits to being “nervous at working with such a large group of people.”

The mural is named “Common Ground: the Global Heritage Mural,” and depicts children from different ethnicities. Behind the various children were outlines of children’s home countries.

Students of Olney High School hope to raise money in order to reciprocate the arts effort on the Emerald Isle sometime in the future.

mcshanej2@lasalle.edu