Many cities have developed ways in which to encourage public art and beautify their cities and streets. Often, utility/electric boxes around town are painted and decorated. At times, the artwork can be breathtaking, or provide some mind opening social commentary. The styles in which many of these boxes are painted and decorated is vast.

Find A Decorated Utility/Electric Box:

Taking some inspiration from Dave Van Patten, take a photo of a decorated utility/electric box from around town that you feel is inspiring. A photo that shows you standing besides it is preferred, but not required. Be sure to also mention where the utility/electric box is located in your thread.

Be sure to embed your image/s (just like in the demo below). DO NOT attach the image/s in word doc or pdf files. Attached images that require downloading for viewing will NOT be looked at and the discussion will earn a zero.

Embedding Images Into Canvas Discussions (Links to an external site.)

Discussion Questions:

Tell us why you chose this utility/electric box.

What is it about the artwork that made an impression on you?

What do you feel makes it visually effective? Discussing a principle of design or two or anything from the visual toolbox could be helpful.

Tell us your interpretation of the imagery, including the theme you feel is covered.

Avoid going to Google for answers to the questions. Adding a little info from a source is OK, but I really want to hear your very own thoughts.

Your Discussion experience will come in three parts:

Part 1: Taking some inspiration from Dave Van Patten, take a photo of a decorated utility/electric box from around town that you feel is inspiring. A photo that shows you standing besides it is preferred, but not required. Be sure to also mention where the utility/electric box is located in your thread.

Embed the photo to your thread. Avoid using huge file sizes, they may not upload into Canvas.

Part 2: Write a short essay that answers the above questions and provide comments about your own viewing experience. Additions to your thread resulting from any added research is fine. But remember to stay on topic and answer the questions.

Part 3: Respond to a minimum of 2 other student Threads.

Points will be distributed in this manner:

Discussion- 20 max

Original and relevant content (5 points max)- Displaying you have studied and are knowledgeable of the material by addressing required prompts and writing your own thoughts and feelings regarding the material’s content.

A critical analysis (5 points max)- Exhibiting you have engaged with the material by address prompts directly by providing original, insightful observations and thought-provoking commentary- in both your post and classmate responses.

Engaging Responses (5 points max)- Engage in critical analysis of the content present in your classmate’s post. You are expected to provide insightful observations, thought-provoking commentary, or feedback to your classmates. Only responses that engage and encourage critical thinking­­ will receive maximum credit.

Quality of writing (5 points max)- Cleary and concisely articulates ideas and feelings about the material utilizing good sentence fluency (syntax), spelling, and grammar. College-level writing is required.