The Mural Man Travels to Moldova to Paint Community Murals #45 & #46
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Graphic by Phillip Martin
According to Jeopardy, Moldova is the least visited country in Europe, exactly the kind of place where you'll find The Mural Man, Phillip Martin. Read about his travels to Moldova to paint community murals as part of the U.S. Embassy’s cultural envoy program. American artist Phillip Martin painted his 45th mural in Tiraspol, Transnistria, and his 46th mural in Chisinau, the capital of Moldova.
If you've never heard of Moldova, there is even less of a chance that you know about Transnistria, a break-away republic from Moldova. Ask anyone in Transnistria and they will tell you it is an independent country. As anyone in Moldova and they will tell you it is an autonomous part of their county and no other member of the U.N. recognizes their independence.
Regardless, Transnistria is a little sliver of land, about the size of Rhode Island, that stretches about 120 miles along the border of Moldova and Ukraine. It averages about eight miles in width and is the home of around 450,000 people.
If you've never heard of Moldova, there is even less of a chance that you know about Transnistria, a break-away republic from Moldova. Ask anyone in Transnistria and they will tell you it is an independent country. As anyone in Moldova and they will tell you it is an autonomous part of their county and no other member of the U.N. recognizes their independence.
Regardless, Transnistria is a little sliver of land, about the size of Rhode Island, that stretches about 120 miles along the border of Moldova and Ukraine. It averages about eight miles in width and is the home of around 450,000 people.
And, yes, it is the kind of place where you'll find Phillip Martin painting. He traveled to Transnistria to Paint Mural #45 at a school for the deaf. As far as working with the kids at the school, Phillip Martin said it could not have been more positive. “We communicated with a little English, a little Russian, a dash of signing and a whole lot of laughing. The kids could not have been any more charming.
The Mural Man , Phillip Martin (center back row) and Community Mural Painters
Mural #46 is now on the front of a school for special needs children in Moldova's capital city, Chisinau.
Mural #46 is on the front of a school for special needs children in Moldova's capital city, Chisinau. It was summer vacation, so most of the students were not at school. But, since it was during the break, a lot of high school students from Chisinau -- who spoke English – were willing and free to paint at the school. There was no lack of communication during this project.
The theme of this mural, as requested by the school's director, combined school activities and Moldovan symbols.
The theme of this mural, as requested by the school's director, combined school activities and Moldovan symbols.
But, since it was during the break, a lot of high school students from Chisinau -- who spoke English – were willing and free to paint at the school. There was no lack of communication during this project.The theme of this mural, as requested by the school's director, combined school activities and Moldovan symbols.
Every Mural Man eBook is written to provide teachers with insights into social studies and cultural specific information about each location including folk tales; imagery of local birds and animals; amazing activities to expand the mind or stimulate conversations; an assortment of flavorful recipes from each community as well as Phillip Martin's personal adventures as an artist and explorer along the way. “If you are brave enough to step out of your comfort zone -- just a little -- you may also have similar experiences the next time you travel.”
Phillip’s stories and adventures are designed to encourage teachers and students to talk about the world and the communities, food and customs within the world. “I realized it is very possible to travel to a country and not meet one person who lives there. That all changed with my murals. They have opened doors that get me into homes and the lives of local people with experiences that no tourist ever enjoys.”
Phillip’s stories and adventures are designed to encourage teachers and students to talk about the world and the communities, food and customs within the world. “I realized it is very possible to travel to a country and not meet one person who lives there. That all changed with my murals. They have opened doors that get me into homes and the lives of local people with experiences that no tourist ever enjoys.”