Empower Youth Through Mural Arts

Dear Community,

Over ten years ago I founded a grassroots community engaged art program where I work with youth and artists to create large scale public art. I've worked with thousands of students to create works of art in many locations around New York (and beyond) from public schools to community centers to buildings on Main Street...this program has enlivened and enriched our public spaces, expanded the imaginations of our youth and offers a point of reflection for thousands of visitors and locals alike.

We are at it again here in Saugerties, New York! I've been planning for months and this week I finally started working with students at the Boys and Girls Club and we are having a blast. Our plan is to create a mural on the side of their building (facing the Village Offices...entrance to the public parking lot).

Here we are measuring and starting to map it out.

The idea for this project is WINGS...we want to create a large photo opportunity wall of HUGE BUTTERFLY WINGS filled with inspirations...and a smaller set of dragonfly wings for the little ones... to enhance this space. This week we spent time planning, making concept drawings and studying patterning. Next week we will prime the wall and start blocking in color.

It's a big job.

But we are up for it!

I have a group of students that are dedicated and we are meeting weekly until we are finished. I'll post updates often so you can see our progress.

In this series of workshops, I teach leadership skills, team building, practical application of materials, concept and planning and direct creative actions. The students receive a sense of satisfaction in assisting in the creation of works of art that lasts for 20 years or more!

I am taking all of the drawings and concept ideas we created this week and making a solid pencil drawing of the image that will go on the wall...I will post that when its finished so you have a better idea of what this will look like....its gonna be BEAUTIFUL! These kids have great ideas.!

As you may know, I am 100% GRASSROOTS. I am not on any payroll and I raise the funds and do all of the efforting required to make this happen on my own (with help from community!) Its a lot of leg work.from getting proper clearances from municipalities to grant writing to gathering materials, organizing, conceptual planning, mapping, teaching, physical labor, clean up and more.

This is where you come in, this is my community 'Ask'....for this go fund me I am raising at least $1600.

In full transparency - I have received two grants to get me started with this project, one from the Hudson Valley Foundation for Youth Health and the other from the A to Z Impact Fund (THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU)...these offer a considerable help in getting me to my goal.

I usually raise between $3,500 - $5,000 for these projects based on complexity and material cost. They are extremely time consuming and community support is a major aspect of the programs success.

For this one, the more we raise, the bigger the mural! The wall is huge...and I might need a lift to get up high (costly). Working on that.

A few past projects include...the Rocky Mural currently on Partition Street.

The 'Strong Together' mural on Main Street

We did two murals in the courtyard at Cahill Elementary.

That is just a few of the local projects. I try to do one a year and this year we have already jumped in full force!

If you can contribute, I send you a Massive THANK YOU. Money is good...but you can also contribute simply by sharing this link and hitting the love button to offer support! Every little bit helps.

Thank you for taking time to read and contribute as you can...it all helps and community support is everything!

Peace, Love and Art,

Kelli

more on my work at www.kellibickman.net