Senior Project Artifact Reflection (Know, Do, Reflect)

Complete the KDR graphic organizer below with comprehensive thoughts. Each section should consist
of 1-2 detailed, thorough paragraphs that showcase what you KNOW, what you can DO, and your
REFLECTION on your project. The boxes will grow as you type.
KNOW:
Explain the goal
or objective of the
course, what your
project was, and how
your project met that
goal/objective
Discuss what you
needed to know in
order to complete the
project effectively and
proficiently, as well as
discussing what you
LEARNED upon
completing the
project.

The CAA seniors project was based on social justice through

art. For my project in my CAA Plus 2 class, I painted a portable
mural. I chose to do a portable mural because I believe that
murals impact individuals greatly. Painting a mural gave me an
outlet to bring light to a topic I am actually very passionate about.
I got to do something new and explore and expand my horizons
when it comes to art. I am in photo, and I don't paint often and I
really don't paint murals often so this was a great chance to learn
new things. The mural was to increase public awareness of deaf
and hard of hearing issues, culture, people, and community, and to
show that deaf and hard of hearing individuals are just as able as
anyone else.
As I mentioned, I am in Photo and dont paint often, although
for my junior project last year I did paint a mural in the M2
costume room with Janine B. and Annemarie H. So I did have some
knowledge on painting a mural, but I had never done it alone, and I
had never made a portable mural. I researched how to make a
portable mural and what supplies and surfaces would work best. I
also learned how to manage my time and complete the mural in
time.
I gained so much knowledge of the deaf and hard of hearing
community and so much appreciation for the culture behind it. I
also found a really popular show in the community - Switched at
Birth (it features many deaf characters, including a main
character) - by reading things online about deafness in the media
and fell in love with the show!

DO:

I began with interviewing people in the deaf and hard of hearing

community and doing research on the culture behind the deaf
community. I attended a Deaf Social at Peets Coffee in
Brentwood. At the meeting I talked to a few individuals within the
deaf and hard of hearing community and asked them how their life
has been affected or influenced by their deafness, and if being in
the deaf community has shaped them. Many of the people I spoke
with said similar things, such as how they have so much support
being around people who deal with the same situations as them.
They said they look up to deaf individuals who have achieved some
great feats and that they learned that even though they are deaf,
they are just as able as everyone else. This really sparked some
ideas for my mural design, which highlights important deaf
individuals. I then did research (that you can find on my website
ashleyulinger.weebly.com) on influential deaf people and what
being in the deaf community means to people and how important
sign language is.
I also tried to teach myself some basic ASL, to which I can hold
a simple conversation with someone. I feel that everyone should
learn some basic signs, so that if they ever meet a deaf person, they
have a way of communication, especially since sign language isnt
all that difficult. At the Peets Deaf Social, I got to put my
minimal ASL skills to good use!
I then came up with the design for my mural. It was just a
sketch, so wasnt exactly perfect. My concept was to sponge the
background with a few colors and then the swirly lines were to be

Discuss
the process of what
you actually did in
order to complete
your project and what
you can do as a result

o
Thi
nk - because I
know (this) I can
now do (this)

Discuss
new technologies
used, new subject
matter encountered,
new skills learned or
skills that were
improved, etc. as you
worked through your
project.

painted, and some of them have names of influential deaf

individuals on the lines, and it features a deaf man who I think is
very influential, Andrew Foster. I then went to the Ace Hardware
near our house to purchase the plywood, and went to a craft store
near our house,which was actually having a 'store closing sale' 50%
everything.
I began painting, which took four full days to complete the
mural. The store I went to didnt have any sea sponges left, as it
was having a closing sale, so I had to get creative and cut up some
of my moms kitchen sponges to paint with. It was a bit difficult to
get the colors to seamlessly blend, but I think it came out pretty
well. Another challenging part was Andrew Fosters face, as I had
never painted someone before, and was nervous that he would turn
out not looking right. Because of this, I spent extra time painting
him, and my hand was so cramped up!! Despite that, I am proud of
how he turned out.
REFLECT: Reflect on
the process of
completing the project
(both steps taken and
knowledge and
experience gained).
What went well? Why?
What could have gone
better? How could you
have improved it?
How have you
demonstrated growth
in your knowledge and
skills as both an artist
and student as a
result of working
through the project?
Reflect on your
process of becoming
an agent of change, a
social activist, and
how using your art
has helped you
achieve this.
Did you meet your
project
goals/objectives?
Yes/No, Explain.
Did your project
produce the intended
impact on those who
engaged with it? How
so?
How will you continue
to BE THE CHANGE
YOU WANT TO SEE
IN THE WORLD?

Painting a mural on my own was definitely a feat in itself! I had

never done this before, and was extremely nervous that something
would go wrong, or I didnt know what I was doing, or I would run
out of time. I am so pleased with how the mural turned out, and
how the whole process went in general.
It was so much fun being able to have a voice in the community
and to really show the strengths and abilities of individuals within
the deaf community. Learning more about the community and the
individuals within it really made me even more passionate to share
the alluring nature of the support the people in this community
gives to others.
Painting this mural and doing research and speaking with deaf
individuals really improved my admiration for a culture that I
already had a strong passion for. I gained so much knowledge of
the deaf and hard of hearing community and so much appreciation
for the culture behind it. Having a hearing disorder myself, I didnt
realize how much of an amazing community I had waiting for me
the whole time. I plan to attend more of the Peets Deaf Socials,
and hopefully making friends in the community while Im there.