Students of the American School of Brasília paint the facade of the Adolescentro
Led by Irish teacher Fiona Murphy, the students have renewed the entrance of the youth service center in 605 South
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An Irish teacher who teaches visual arts at the American School of Brasília (EAB) wants to transform public spaces in the capital with paintbrushes, paint and the help of students. Fiona Murphy, 48, who has painted murals in cities such as Havana (Cuba), Quito (Ecuador) and Washington (United States), started a project last month in an effort to do a makeover on the facade of Adolescentro, in 605 South.
Thanks to Fiona and the EAB students, what was once a monochromatic wall became a colorful artwork, with paintings of the fauna and flora of Brazil. “Color brings happiness to any place,” says the teacher. “We chose this theme because it has everything to do with this country.”
The painting is performed at least twice a week. Teens from grades 9 to 12 go, during Fiona’s class schedule, to the entrance of the Adolescentro, a public network unit that provides a series of services to underprivileged young people.
“Those who are cared for at the Adolescentro are also invited to paint,” says Fiona Murphy. “The intention is to precisely promote integration between people.”
The idea of making great murals with the help of students came about 20 years ago. Fiona taught at an international school in Havana and felt uncomfortable with how gray the city was. “I started a community project there. My intention was to bring color to schools, hospitals and public parks. It was a great success,” she recalls.
A great learning
Yasmin Fernandes, 15, is one of the American School students who help with the painting. She emphasizes the importance of doing activities outside the school environment. “It’s different from being inside a classroom. The projects we do in other subjects are individual, so it’s great to have the opportunity to do something interactive,” she says.
Maria Fernanda Furlan, 16, says that the opportunity of interacting with other people is excellent. “The painting is integrating everyone, and this contact is very important. The children watch us, we tell them about the project, and they agree to help,” she says.
According to teacher Fiona Murphy, getting out of the classroom routine is as important as making students leave their comfort zone and experience other realities. “They learn how to be teachers. The most beautiful scene to me was being able to see my students teaching the community children how to paint. It has filled me with pride.”
A positive experience
The positive outcomes are also experienced by those who use the services at the Adolescentro, a unit that provides services to young people between 10 and 18 years of age with mental disorders or who have been victims of domestic or sexual violence.
For Glauce Xavier, one of the local staff and a project enthusiast, she can only see benefits in this experience. “It’s an opportunity to take an excellent teacher’s class and meet new people.”
Elisa Oliveira, 31, the mother of one of the young people served at the health unit, approves the school’s initiative. “My son has panic syndrome, and I think it’s wonderful that he can paint while waiting for his appointment. Instead of standing still, he can do something else,” she says.
Another mother who praises the new Adolescentro facade is Maria Aparecida Nunes, 42. Her daughter suffers from psychosis and has been under treatment at the unit for almost two years. “It’s great, because art helps teenagers very much. When this didn’t exist, she would just sit and wait,” she recalls.
