Empowering young people to paint murals in public spaces
July 20, 2022
Summary
Phoenix-based painter and muralist Lalo Cota has made his mark through his vibrant imagery that fuses together life, death, sombrero-shaped spaceships, Mexican folk art and lowrider culture. In collaboration with Alhambra Elementary School District art teacher Candace Greene, Cota has grown his practice in a way that now invites students of all ages to co-create with him in public spaces throughout the Phoenix metro area.
Five Facts
- Why does Lalo Cota choose to paint skulls?
- Who is Candace Green and why is she interviewed in the video?
- How many murals have been painted by Cota and the students?
- Where is the most recent mural that the kids worked on?
- What part of the mural is Cota painting throughout the video?
Focus Questions
A lot of what ends up painted on the mural described in this story is up to the students. What are the benefits of letting the students decide? What would be the subject for the mural if you got to decide? What word would you write and what would the theme be?
Media Literacy: What did interviewees Hannah and Elijah say was their favorite parts of painting the mural? How did their interviews provide additional insight into the benefits of the mural project?
For More
See this Daily News Lesson on a Phoenix dance Troupe using music to connect to performers’ African roots.
How this Phoenix dance troupe uses music to connect to performers’ African roots — and each other
See this Daily News Lesson to learn about a dance company founder broke down financial barriers for Latino teens.
Dance company founder breaks down financial barriers for Latino teens pursuing dance
See this Daily News Lesson to learn about how elementary school students are paying homage to the Native Americans who lived on their land.
How these elementary students paid homage to Native Americans who first lived on their school land
Ella Cohen, a rising junior at Washington-Liberty high school and intern at NewsHour Classroom, wrote today’s Daily News Lesson with editing by Vic Pasquantonio.
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