Thirsty for Art

I am a free lance artist. I paint murals in schools, most elementary schools. I design educational murals as well as decorative murals. But the important part is, the students paint with me. Nearly 20 years ago I was inspired by a local muralist to paint a mural at my kids' school. Once I got started, I decided to enlist the help of the 6th graders. I wanted them to know what it felt like to contribute something to their community. I thought that if that feeling was good, they would want to repeat the action as adults. I wanted the kids to grow up and be contributors to our community. 19 years later, parents purchase the paint to get their children into my program. All the student painters sign the finished art. That way, when they return as adults (and we all go see the elementary schools we attended) they will see the work of art with their name on it. It gives them ownership. It beautifies their school and makes the neighborhood more desirable. The art makes the school aesthetics nicer and more welcoming. I usually paint with children in grades 1-6. But I have also painted with kindergartners, middle school & high school students, as well as college students. To date I have painted 96 public murals. 76 of them are in schools. And I have been assisted by thousands of children. Next school year I'm hoping to paint my 100th mural!

Submitted by Anonymous

Creativity