"GoodKids: Therapeutic Programming, Music & Poetry Slam" - Auberle 10.17.13
"Children at Auberle in Mckeesport paint murals in new therapy process" - Pittsburgh Post Gazette 09.12.13
"Mckeesport Auberle mural project inspires peace through painting" - Trib Total Media 09.10.13
"Art project gives youth in Auberle programs an opportunity" - Pittsburgh Post Gazette 09.05.13
MLK is currently looking for youth artists to come work with us this summer in Pittsburgh PA, Washington DC, Cleveland Ohio, Miami Florida!! If you are interested in applying for this position, click one of the links below!!
Pittsburgh PA: http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/crg/4297594085.html
Washington DC: http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/crg/4297885391.html
Cleveland Ohio: http://cleveland.craigslist.org/crg/4297840486.html
Miami Florida: http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/crg/4297885391.html
MLK is currently looking for mural artists to come work with us this summer in Pittsburgh PA, Washington DC, Cleveland Ohio, Miami Florida!! If you are interested in applying for this position, click one of the links below!!
Pittsburgh PA: http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/crg/4297598966.html
Washington DC: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/crg/4297814497.html
Cleveland Ohio: http://cleveland.craigslist.org/crg/4297779363.html
Miami Florida: http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/crg/4297816129.html
The pictures below are from the 6th Annual Women's Walk for Peace event that we attended on October 19th. Portia Hornick a teacher for the MLK summer program, made a peace sign sculpture out of recycled bottles. Anyone at the event could come and sign their names, a quotes, draw symbols and pictures on it! It was a blast!!
People signing the sculpture!
The artist Portia Hornick!
OPA-LOCKA, Fla. -
Dozens of children used paintbrushes to spread holiday cheer Monday as they created a mural at an affordable housing complex.
The Pinnacle Housing Group partnered with the MLK Community Mural Project and hired young residents to decorate a 100-foot mural that surrounds the property's soccer field.
"We find that artwork gathers love, interest, debate," said Louis Wolfson III with the Pinnacle Housing Group. "Some people like it, some people don't like it."
What is your Name (artist name)?
Bee Schindler
When did you begin working with MLK Mural?
I started working with MLK Mural during the summer of 2008.
What was your role with MLK Mural? Were you painting murals? Teaching?
I have been lucky to be on many sides of the non-profit. First, I was a site manager and artist, working with a handful of young people and professional artists to complete the stunning "walking mural" in Mount Lebanon at the "T Station." My role was to ensure the safety of the youth, and to make sure the Mount Lebanon project was on target with its timeline to complete the mural, remain on budget, engage with the community, and to see that the young people were documented and thanked for their awesome efforts.
In May of 2009 I returned to Pittsburgh following my graduation from Columbia University's School of Social Work, where I earned my Master of Social Work degree. The idea was that I would hired as the Youth Director, while also having the great opportunity to paint murals around the city. My role consisted of :recruiting, engaging, empowering, leading, and directly supervise at-risk youth artists working on-site | research, write, and submit grant proposals for ongoing project funding to foundations and state/local agencies | Participate in community-based meetings to promote and build program support through outreach and education | Maintain time-sheets for all managers/youth and oversee all supply needs and records.
I currently assist MLK Murals as needed - helping with opportunities as they arise in the capacity of youth director.
What project or projects did you work on? (locations)
Carnegie - Helped to prep the wall by cleaning and re-grouting the brick for a large-scale mural reflecting Carnegie's history.
Mount Lebanon - Prepped the walls by power washing and drawing out line sketches / grids in pencil for the artists to paint within. Worked with assigned site youth - orienting them to the mural process, teaching them artist skills, empathy, community and leadership building skills. Directly connected with area government agencies and small businesses to ensure the completion of the mural. Maintained artistic vision by visiting with the mural’s lead artist - a local artisan residing in Mt. Lebanon. Painting, retouching and cleaning up the final mural.
Bloomfield - Prepped the walls and directed the youth and artists on site at Del’s Restaurant, a neighborhood icon. Coordinated with lead artists and business owners to hold artistic workshops on site. Maintained schedule of events, including a health component, and human resource aspects such as timesheets, volunteer hours and pay.
Larimer - Directed some 30 youth and many artists on site at the “Green Mural, a large scale mural on the site of a multi-unit lot at the corner of East Liberty and Larimer Avenues. Coordinated with lead artists and local organizations to hold artistic workshops on site. Maintained schedule of events, including a health component, and human resource aspects such as timesheets, volunteer hours and pay. Worked with city and state officials who collaborated with MLK Murals in helping to provide youth who were in need of a positive summer job experience.
Duquesne - Helped to fill in as needed during the end period of wrapping up the artwork.
Downtown - Painted and worked to recruit young people to work on a large scale canvas mural downtown for the G20, sponsored by the One Campaign. It represented each country in Pittsburgh that was taking part in the 2009 summit.
What did working with MLK teach you?
Working with MLK Mural has reminded me of the power of positive role models, empathy, grass-roots organizing and the tangible evidence that art programming is good programming. MLK Murals teaches those who are engaged with it to see opportunity for change with each blank wall. It makes the impossible possible. The murals have reduced blight and is a major deterrent of graffiti in the city.
What impact do you think MLK Mural had on the individuals you worked with?
MLK Mural offers a safe space to grow and create forever bonds among youth and the artists, and their environment. The community individuals have the chance to see walls painted with rich historic reference, or enlightening messages for the future. The youth become a part of the city through meaningful work, while gaining invaluable experience as paid participants. The artists get to work with teenagers who need and want their guidance - both as artists and adults. The funders have first-hand insight into the world of community murals and the varied layers that create positive elements to a city and its residents - allowing them to continue funding projects that make a difference.
What did you get out of the program?
MLK Murals is a local run organization that celebrates diversity and opportunity. Using the arts, MLK Murals is a beacon of light to so many young people. I was honored to get so much out of the program, from the small time moments working side by side with creative people, to helping to place foster kids on a project site, to meeting appreciative parents. I loved having paint on my clothes and in my hair, and walking in to a local shop on a break and hearing the words of thanks from those whose neighborhoods were revitalized. It’s powerful and a great deal of fun and hard work. My favorite thing to do is drive by a mural that was completed many years ago - the paint bright in the afternoon sun. The memories are forever emblazoned, one stroke of the brush at a time.
Who did you work with? (any memorable youth)
Honestly, every single one of the some 100 youth I supervised are important to me. Each young person brings a history and a future. Their present moments were inspiring - it’s a lovely thing to take things in the way that young people do - making me feel welcome and inviting me to teach and guide them.
Of course, working with Mac Miller when he was still in highschool was fun as he interned with us long before he hit the worldwide stage as a performer. I also truly enjoyed the staff who made the day to day exciting and motivating. Thank you to Eddie Rawson for being the glue of the organization - his schedule book brimming with check-in points, while his paint brush lay waiting for vision. Kyle Holbrook is a leader and dedicated to the arts and youth - he makes so much happen and with a smile or a nudge things fall into place. I adored the artists I would talk with on the phone at the end of each evening - getting the youth attendance numbers for each site - Stoff, Shane, Devon, Luke, Joy and Danny. I liked seeing Vanessa Germaine in the office as she did what she does best in the MLK Mural film “Art of Life.” Nico’s amazing communicative style led the education component. I adored the the Eagle crew - those who worked so hard to prepare each site before the kids arrived and paint was poured. There are hundreds of participants - too many to list - and I am humbled by them all.
Did MLK Mural help you get to where you are now? How? (Mentally, physically, spiritually?)
Of course! Each experience shapes me. I am grateful for that truth.
What is your Name?
Nicole Richardson
What is your Organization’s Name?
Touching Families Inc.
What is your title/position?
Administrative Department Director
How was your organization involved with MLK Mural?
We were a sponsor for the Summer Food Service Program Touching Families we provided daily nutritious lunches to the youth working with the MLK MURAL
What project or projects were you involved with?
Oakland, Northside, Strip District
What did working with MLK Mural teach you?
Working with the MLK project showed the dedication that our youth have. Even on the hottest days they were there ready to learn and put what they learned into the murals.
What impact do you think MLK Mural had on the individuals you work with?
While I didn’t work directly with the youth I saw their eagerness, dedication, and commitment to the projects. For 5 weeks over the summer, they were there Monday to Friday not just having fun painting but in the classroom learning new skills. I’m sure this project fueled their passion for art as some students came back to the unveiling that I was grateful to attend in Oakland. It gave them another accomplishment to be proud of.
Any other thoughts about MLK Mural?
MLK Mural is an opportunity for the youth and community to build a sense of pride and gain valuable life skills. It was awesome to hear the members of the Oakland community comment how they changed their daily walking route so that they can walk pass the murals!!
What is your Name:
David Zwier
What is your Organization's Name:
Oakland Planning and Development Corporation
What is your title:
Community Programs Manager
How was your organization involved with MLK Mural:
OPDC worked with MLK Mural to engage Oakland residents in the design brainstorming process, and create two new murals on an important corridor in the neighborhood. We also reached out to each property owner and secured $1,000 in donations which OPDC matched 1:1.
What project or projects were you involved with:
Semple Street Murals, Central Oakland
What did working with MLK Mural teach you:
We learned all the steps, details and planning that go on behind the scenes when you create a mural.
What impact do you think MLK Mural had on the individuals you work with:
We have had an overwhelmingly positive response from residents about the murals. One neighbor said she changed her daily walking route because the murals brighten her day. This corridor of Oakland is highly traveled by cyclists, vehicles, and pedestrians and the murals transform the block for all passerby.
What was the best part of working with MLK Mural:
We appreciated the expertise and collaboration that MLK Mural brings to the table.
Who did you work with?
Olga Brinda, MLK’s lead artist on the project, was inspired by the Green Team’s ideas and referenced a photo collection of her mother’s garden to come up with the final illustration. She did a great job of working with the community to tweak her initial design and come up with a stunning result that is enjoyed by all.
Any other thoughts about MLK Mural?
We love that one of the main components of MLK’s murals is engaging youth. What’s remarkable is the educational component that MLK adds to the experience, not only do youth create the murals but they also learn about the techniques and processes that they are using.
photo credit to Rebekkah Ranallo, OPDC’s Communications Manager.
photo credit to Rebekkah Ranallo, OPDC’s Communications Manager.
photo credit to Rebekkah Ranallo, OPDC’s Communications Manager.