Common Ground: The Global Heritage Project

Common Ground, The Global Heritage Project by artist James Burns is painted on a rear exterior wall of the Olney Charter High School in the Olney neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This project is the result of a collaborative effort between artist James Burns, students and instructors from Olney Charter High School, over one hundred students from the City of Philadelphia, eight students from the city of Dublin, Ireland and their instructors Irene O’Donohugh, and resident artist Fiona Whelan. The project was designed via the internet as well as face-to-face meetings. The students created profiles about themselves, their interests and their heritage. This information was shared via the internet. It was a unique opportunity for students in different parts of the city and the world to work together on a common project.

The project’s theme developed through the Big Pictures Program curriculum focused on heritage. Through the collaborative efforts the theme expanded to include aspiration as the “Common Ground” for people across the globe. The group in Ireland sent a design to James Burns that became the foundation for the final image. This mural illustrates a moment of coming together and sharing your aspiration with others and recognizes that aspiring is one of the greatest things we can do as human beings.