Through community meetings, the artist will create a mural design for a specific neighborhood – celebrating the cultural heritage and commemorating historical events in the community. The students and the artists will work alongside community members to create a lasting visual memory for that particular neighborhood creating a point of communal pride.
Murals are a catalyst for youth development. They challenge and affirm youth while providing a unique opportunity for young people to actively participate in the enhancement of their community. The impact of forming healthy relationships with youth and adult role models – in the arts and their community -develops a sense of pride in their own natural abilities as artists and as agents of positive change. Studies show that youth who have a positive relationship with adults other than family are less likely to join gangs or become involved in criminal activity.
