Called to Walls, (2016; Nicholas Ward and Amber Hansen, Directors) [Video file l

Called to Walls, (2016; Nicholas Ward and Amber Hansen, Directors) [Video file linked below] [CLO 2,3]
This documentary was inspired by artist Dave Lowenstein’s Mid-America Mural Project. As Lowenstein describes it on his website http://www.daveloewenstein.com/): “This pilot program introduced a community-based approach to the design and creation of large public murals in communities within the Mid-America Arts Alliance’s region [Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas]. Each intensive 2-3 month project provided residents direct hands-on experience in the research, design, and execution of major public artworks for their communities. Local arts organizations in each state applied for a grant that covered the majority of costs. I led each project and was joined by a mural assistant, an apprentice selected from each state, and local design teams which were composed of people who chose themselves.” Called to Walls follows the stories of these projects.
What I am asking for is, essentially, a review of this film. As such, you take whatever approach you feel best expresses your opinions; while this is a response paper, I want you to feel free to express personal responses, as well as more objective ones. Were there particular thoughts going through your mind as you watched this film, or just after? What did it make you think? Some more systematic questions you might consider are:
What is the Mid-America Mural Project, and what is its purpose?
• What is Lowenstein trying to accomplish in projects such as these?
• What are the questions and goals that drive him and the projects, themselves?
What is the importance of process to both the goals and outcomes of these projects?
What are Lowenstein’s fundamental priorities as a practitioner – that is, what standards does he hold himself to?