Teaching Beyond the Curriculum

Abstract

For this participatory action research project Dr. Omar El Masri, a sociologist from the School of Natural, Social and Sports Sciences; Kimberly Ellen Hall, a senior lecturer in Illustration in the School of Arts; the University of Gloucestershire neighbours in Cheltenham; and our students are co-creating a mural in the neighbourhood around our campus. We are examining the relationship between the University community and the local population, which are often separate groups. We’re investigating if, by engaging in participatory action research through drawing to create a mural, we can contribute to the development of an inclusive social space. Drawing as a method of learning, communication, and community-building is the strand we will explore in this paper. The project is constructed of moderated-knowledge exchange workshops where we build collaboration through experimental drawing practices. Where we really see the outcome of our question is in the drawing we do as a group; stories are explored and the participants share in unexpected ways. As we learn from the sociological tradition of observational research, so we share the possibilities of collecting data through embodied image-making. Working collaboratively across both illustration and sociology brings a cross-disciplinary approach that informs both our research methodology and our teaching practice. Working outside of our campus offers us the opportunity to break down the walls between inside & outside. Co-creating a mural allows all involved to explore the visual communication of local stories through drawing practice. The outcomes of the mural include a sharable toolkit for community engagement with public art, which we will provide to local agencies like the Cheltenham Paint Festival in order to improve community empowerment for public art.