Romare Bearden Collaborative Mural

Want your students to collaborate and learn a little art history while they’re at it?

Let Romare Bearden and the sounds of jazz transform your classroom wall into a masterpiece — one vibrant square at a time.

This Black History Month, celebrate storytelling, music, and culture with a collaborative mural inspired by Bearden’s bold shapes and colorful collages.

No prep. No stress. Just meaningful art-making that actually sticks.

🖼️ Overview

This collaborative mural project introduces your students to the legendary artist Romare Bearden, whose jazz-inspired artwork was shaped by the Harlem Renaissance. Students color their piece of the mural while learning about:

• Bold collage-style shapes
• Expressive color choices
• The influence of jazz and blues on visual art
• Black history and cultural storytelling

📦 What’s Included

• 3 Printable PDF murals (9, 25 and 36 pages) in 8.5×11 format
• Printable Teacher guide with assembly instruction
• Google Slide instructions for students
• Google Slide Artist bio page with Harlem jazz connections
• Single page version for other coloring page options

💻 Formats

• Printable PDF
• Google Slides (perfect for projectors, Chromebooks, or digital classrooms)

🎨 How to Use

1. Assign each student 1–2 mural tiles.
2. Use the artist bio slide to kick off your lesson with a quick intro.
3. Students color their pieces while jazz music plays in the background (optional but FUN).
4. Assemble the mural on a bulletin board or hallway display.
5. Step back and admire the collaborative beauty!

🎯 Why Teachers Love This

• ✅ Integrates art history & music effortlessly
• ✅ Low-prep, sub-friendly
• ✅ Encourages teamwork & creativity
• ✅ Perfect for Black History Month or anytime you want to highlight diverse artists
• ✅ Aligned to NCAS Visual Arts standards like:
  • VA:Re7.2.2a – Recognize how art reflects the social context
  • VA:Cn11.1.3a – Explore how art is influenced by music and culture