imagine south Plainfield: EMPOWERING A COMMUNITY OF BELONGING
ART
Using the forms of mural, movement, and music, students have created artwork that reflect their research and reflections on the South Plainfield Community. Mural Artist, Leon Rainbow, joined students in the first week to teach mural-painting techniques during the courtyard permanent mural installation. Musician, Dave Seamon, and Theater Artist, Rafaelle Lozada, worked with students throughout the two weeks on their studio projects. The students created a final report in the form of a gallery experience including movable context walls, painted tiles, and an interactive soundscape.
ADVOCACY
“Empowering a Community of Belonging” is the advocacy theme students developed through their consideration of South Plainfield’s past, present, and future. Rutgers Public Historian, Marina Feldman, joined students for three workshops to guide students through research and reflect on the racial, ethnic, geographic, and socio-economic changes. Students considered what it means to “Dream,” meeting challenges of inclusion with empathy and understanding.
COMMUNITY
South Plainfield is a racially, culturally, and ethnically diverse community that has a storied history. Through their research projects, students learned about South Plainfield’s founding, its relationship to suburbanization, the historic civil rights movement, and inclusion efforts. In addition to this humanities research, students had the opportunity to conduct a community interview with Board of Education member, Divon Pender, and engage in a conversation about racial and social justice and “living history.”
Courtyard Mural Reveal
final sharing
Teaching Artists and Guests
institute photos
Students in the studio working on their planning and ideation process for their socially engaged art projects.
Students participating in a mural painting workshop with artist Leon Rainbow as they install their new mural in the South Plainfield Middle School. The mural covers over 1200 square feet and is over 400 feet long. The longest mural coLAB has ever installed. Students have been painting in the early mornings to avoid the summer heat.
Ms. Pinelli sure does love pink. She mixed that color herself and told everyone she was the only one allowed to paint the pink. And she did a great job.
coLAB Arts teaching artist Rafaell Lozada and South Plainfield Middle School Social Studies Teacher Barbara Pinelli having a great time installing the mural.
Rutgers University Public History Researcher Marina Feldman working with students to conduct a socially engaged interview with Divon Pender who is the youngest member of the South Plainfield Board of Education and South Plainfield schools alumnus.
student Artist Gallery
