How do you incorporate the community into creating the artworks? The co-design process we have developed is what makes Muralisto unique. It involves community participation from the beginning to completion. There is a wealth of research around why that is so important; involving people in a creative process provides new space for people to connect and build a community. In our society, people can become isolated, and art provides a forum for people on the fringes to connect and engage through a collective desire to build closer communities. They can get to know one another and share their hopes and dreams and talk through their fears in a non-judgemental way. Art is a unique way of doing that. That’s why we feel participation is so important. It’s called public art, but very rarely does the public have an opportunity to participate in it. We believe that public art should echo the sentiment, feelings and dreams of the community where it is based, and you can do that by involving the community in the creative process. What are some of the projects you have completed through Muralisto? Are there a couple you are particularly proud of? We’re still a pretty small and young organisation – we’re just over a year old. The projects we have done have had an incredible impact. Our workshops have co-designed and created artworks and new artist groups have emerged from that process. Volunteers have joined different organisations and are participating in conversations about things they feel are important. Their voices can be heard and should be heard on matters that impact their communities. CULTURE 19