Youth Transportation Summit – Collaborative Print Mural Workshop

At the Youth Transportation Summit Conference, I was invited to lead a hands-on Collaborative Print Mural Workshop that introduced students to the power of art as a tool for civic engagement, placemaking, and community storytelling. Bringing together over 300 teens from across the country, the workshop merged traditional printmaking techniques with collective design strategies, allowing students to create a mural-sized artwork centered on themes of movement, accessibility, and the future of transportation.

Participants learned the fundamentals of relief printing using Legos and ink pads, discovering how simple materials can create striking visual textures. Working in small groups, students created imagery connected to themes of transportation safety. I provided several design options they could recreate, while also encouraging them to invent their own symbols and motifs. Each printed block contributed to a larger unified mural, demonstrating how individual voices and creative contributions can build meaningful collective impact.

As we assembled the final mural, students saw their prints link together into one cohesive artwork, an experience that highlighted collaboration, shared authorship, and the ways visual art can spark conversation about public space and youth agency. The completed piece remained on display for the remainder of the conference, igniting discussion among attendees, community leaders, and transportation professionals.

This workshop exemplifies my continued commitment to arts integration, youth empowerment, and the use of creative practices to deepen understanding of real-world issues.

Have a workshop, conference, or lecture in mind? Reach out—and let’s make it happen!