Packasso Project: Graffiti and School Engagement in a Hispanic Community

Truman State University – The Department of Classical & Modern Languages presents:
Guest Speaker: Dr. Fairouz Bishara
Presentation Title: Packasso Project: Graffiti and School Engagement in a Hispanic Community
Monday, November 5, 2018 — 5 P.M. — Baldwin Hall 114

This presentation explores how graffiti artists perceived their experience of belonging to a school based program, the Packasso Project, focused on redirecting their artistic talents and re-engage them into the educational process. Through individual, in-depth interviews with several former members of the Packasso Project, insight was provided into the various social and academic factors impacting graffiti artists: need for recognition, value of relationships, and school engagement. This presentation highlights the creation of supportive learning environments in which diverse groups of students not only stay engaged in school, but also experience academic learning and success that is the byproduct of continuous engagement.