REVITALIZING PUBLIC SPACES AND EDUCATING CHILDREN THROUGH VISUAL COMMUNICATION IN KALISAMPURNO VILLAGE

Objective: This study aims to revitalize public spaces and strengthen early
childhood education through a visual communication approach in
Kalisampurno Village, Tanggulangin District, Sidoarjo Regency. The activity
focused on utilizing Kalisampurno Dam Park as a multifunctional public space
that can accommodate social interaction, education, and strengthen the
village's visual identity. Method: The community-based participatory
approach was used, with an implementation strategy in the form of projectbased learning. This activity involved 39 Communication Science students
from Muhammadiyah University of Sidoarjo who were divided into three
divisions: quote boards, education, and games. The data collection process was
carried out through participatory observation, informal interviews, and visual
documentation, then analyzed descriptively qualitatively. Results: The results
of the program showed that the revitalization of public spaces through aesthetic
elements (quote boards, garden decorations, welcoming monuments)
successfully strengthened the park's image as an educational and tourist
destination. The "Learning While Playing" program also succeeded in
involving local PAUD institutions in culturally based outdoor educational
activities. These findings indicate that locally based visual communication can
be an effective tool in supporting character education and cultural preservation.
Novelty: This program's novelty lies in the integration of public art, early
childhood education, and cross-community collaboration in a single model of
sustainable service.