[2003-2004 Projects]

* The True Pioneers...

* Train to Read

* Lead Safe House...

* Girls Deal, Girls Do...

* Fifth Avenue Committee...

* Art of Remembering...

* NYC AIDS Housing...

TEMA: Train to Read

TRAIN TO READ

Groundswell Community Mural Project ©
www.groundswellmural.org

Acrylic on Brick
12 x 24 Ft
2005

Lead Artist: Amy Sananman
Assistant Artists: Juan Villanueva & Cara Earl & Menshahat Ebron

Youth Artists: Ben Howart, Geoffrey Kixmiller, Joshua Rene, Sophia Dawson, Tiana Scott, Julissa Soriano

Location: 280 Wyckoff Street, Brooklyn NY, Wyckoff Gardens Community Center

Community Partner: New York City Housing Authority, Wyckoff Gardens Community Center

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Wyckoff Gardens is a public housing project located in the Gowanus area of Brooklyn. As their community center is struggling to revitalize, the center's director contacted Groundswell about doing a series of murals. Groundswell's TEMA (Teen Empowerment Mural Apprenticeship) after school program began partnering with Wyckoff Gardens in the fall of 2004 to create "Train to Read"-a mural that wraps around the entire literacy room at Wyckoff Center. This was the first of two murals created at the center. TEMA apprentice muralists met with staff and children in the literacy program and created a mural that met the needs of the room. The finished mural, which was completed during winter 2004/05, visually transforms the entire space in a colorful celebration of the importance of reading and literacy.

This was a project of Groundswell's TEMA after school program. The mural was made possible with public funds from Councilwoman Sara Gonzalez, the Department of Cultural Affairs & Brooklyn Borough President's Office, New York City Housing Authority, the New York State Council on the Arts administered by the Brooklyn Arts Council, Inc. as well as generous foundation support from the Levitt Foundation. Special thanks to Wyckoff Gardens & NYCHA.