What is a mural? A mural an art form that goes back to prehistoric times and found in many different cultures. Murals are works of art that are applied directly onto a wall or any permanent surface. They can also be created using another surface, such as a canvas, and then mounted onto a wall. Another characteristic of a mural is that it is often created to be incorporated into the architecture of a building or a space within it.
Visitors at the Michener can see a special installation, Bridging Two American Muralists: Daniel Garber and Edward Steichen which highlights two murals by different artists, both of which allows visitors to see how artists engaged with their environment to present their own viewpoints—Garber’s work, representing the idealized depiction of the Delaware River with its native plantings and geography, is juxtaposed with Steichen’s work, a symbolic painting utilizing nature and flowers that he cultivated as the basis and inspiration for its composition. Nature has informed these two artists in their own unique ways; yet, while they each employ a distinct vision, they are grounded in the American art tradition of using natural elements as inspirations in their work.
An accompanying school-based initiative and standardized curriculum, The River Flows Through Art: A Catalyst for Change, will engage 300 youth in mural-making projects and Museum field trips that encapsulate the theme of nature throughout the exhibition.
To learn more about Daniel Garber’s A Wooded Watershed, see our previous post featuring gallery activity sheets, video, audio and a complete curriculum guide for the classroom.
Learn more about the works, In Exaltation of Flowers by Edward Steichen by visiting our previous post.
Resources
- Gallery Activity for Middle and High School Students, Looking at Murals
- Exhibit Gallery Guide on In Exaltation of Flowers and A Wooded Watershed
- Daniel Garber Curriculum Guide and Activities