The Community Mural Institute aka the GoodSpace Method Training

How do our public spaces currently tell us how to be, who we are, or where we’re going? How do we activate our public spaces with community voices? How can public murals help us claim our voices, celebrate our history and seed our communal futures? How do we as artists learn to use murals as a tool for community organizing?

There is increasing interest in murals as a means of creative place-keeping, and particular interest in professional murals that involve the community in their creation. However, there are very few opportunities to learn how to meaningfully engage the community in the design and painting while still producing professional public murals. The GSM Training can be a stand alone artist training opportunity or can be incorporated into the creation of a GoodSpace Murals project. 

How do we activate our public spaces with community voices?

projects

Fitchburg 2022

Fitchburg 2022

Springfield 2022

Morganton 2024

 

About GSM Training or CMI

The GoodSpace Method Training/ Community Mural Institute (CMI) was designed in collaboration between GoodSpace Murals and Common Wealth Murals. In the process we teach, murals start with facilitated community gatherings to identify themes, ideas and images that resonate with the group. The muralist takes these ideas and designs the mural which is then projected onto specially prepared mural fabric, creating a giant paint-by-numbers. These fabric panels are brought into the community for paint parties where any- and everyone can help paint. The muralist then does the detail work and overpainting in a studio before the mural is permanently installed on the wall. The GoodSpace Method combines community input and the design skills of professional muralists, giving hundreds of people the chance to actively participate in a mural’s creation, and these murals last longer and weather better than murals painted directly on the wall.

 
 
 
 

The scope of each CMI is tailored to your community’S needs.

Every GSM training combines online and in-person instruction, experiential learning, and professional mentorship. Local artists receive paid training, hundreds of community members can engage in design conversations and paint parties, and up to 3 beautiful new murals are created in your community.

Drop us a line to get started!

 
 

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  • "Our experience with the Goodspace Mural team was one of the best things I have ever been a part of!

    The process of venturing out into the community to have conversations about pride, hope, inspirations, aspirations and connectedness got me in touch with segments of our population that were new to me and taught me how to be more engaged. The painting process was again, beyond expectations. Because of the polytab or parachute cloth technique we were able to enlist the help of hundreds of people of all ages in the art making experience. In turn, they have ownership of this beautiful mural. The processes introduced by the Goodspace Mural team have changed how we will approach public art going forward. "

    — Jessica Siefert, Managing Director/Education Director, Parkersburg Art Center

  • "Meeting Greta McLain and her team of passionate artists was the most fun I've had working in my field of community engagement.

    The process of venturing out into the community to have conversations about pride, hope, inspirations, aspirations and connectedness got me in touch with segments of our population that were new to me and taught me how to be more engaged. The painting process was again, beyond expectations. Because of the polytab or parachute cloth technique we were able to enlist the help of hundreds of people of all ages in the art making experience. In turn, they have ownership of this beautiful mural. The processes introduced by the Goodspace Mural team have changed how we will approach public art going forward. "

    — Senta M Goudy, Dean, Center for Civic Engagement and Innovation, WVU Parkersburg

  • "We loved that [they] engaged our residents: both in the process of envisioning the mural and painting."

    — Jeffrey B., Vice Chairman, Related Companies

  • "People will remember for the rest of their lives that they participated in the mural. We don't have a lot of these types of places and spaces in Bloomington... Now they really treasure it as part of their neighborhood."

    — Alejandra P., Director of Creative Placemaking, Bloomington, Minnesota

  • "Every call, there’s positive energy for the project and community, and that’s the most important thing GoodSpace brings to the table. They also understand and lift up the community with confidence and energy. Through their process, they deepen the experience.

    — Jeff Pierson, Director, Office of Public Art for Charleston, West Virginia

  • [In terms of what they achieved] "We’ve given more of an identity to a place that’s often overlooked or has a reputation for not being the nicest side of town. For us, it was taking control of that narrative and sharing what makes the place so distinctive and important…

    It gave the neighborhood more of an identity and made it feel like a destination that’s valued and a place that’s used and cared for. What makes them stand out is their process. It’s thorough, and they ensure everyone’s voice is heard. The artists are welcoming and inclusive and easy to work with. As a city, it makes it easy when you’ve got a group of artists who have it together. Their process is unique, and their materials are unique. Working with them was great, and I’d completely recommend them.

    — Alejandra P., director of creative placemaking, Bloomington, Minnesota

  • "It was a true pleasure to work with the team at GoodSpace Murals. Their proposal was professional, they communicated well with us, and completed the work on time and on budget.

    Best of all, they were wonderful at involving the public in the artmaking process, something of great importance to us. The turnout was strong and the GoodSpace team was able to accommodate the greater number of participants as well as the portions of the mosaic they created. All in all, it was a terrific experience!“

    — Sean M. Ulmer, Chair, Linn County Public Art Commission, and Linda Langston, Vice-Chair, Linn County Public Art Commission