[2005 Projects]
* A New Day
* The Higher We Climb...
* Home in our Eyes
* Voices
* Our Doors are Open to You
* 4th World Mural
* An Environmental...
* Roots & Wings
JAMS/ Fourth World Movement
FOURTH WORLD MOVEMENT
Groundswell Community Mural Project ©
www.groundswellmural.org
Acrylic on Cement Wall
10 x 45 Ft
2005
Lead Artist: Conor McGrady
Assistant Artist: JD Siazon
Volunteers: Awadh Bayroum, Katy Horan
MuralTeam: Rosalyn Bridges, Angela Espostio, C.S.J, Naomi Zuk, Pauline Donald, Obie Donald, Vicki Soanes, Stephen Munro, Zena Grimes, Bernita Hull, Antonio Velazquezl, Damaris Hernandez, Jean Stallings, Lenore Cola, Da'Shaun Sligh, Julia Pollins, Haruko Yamuachi, Menita Lanfranco, Edwin Batista, Evelyn Batista, Nick Collins, Jessie Perkins, Carol Paige, Bobbly Paige, Tommy Paige, Empress Hazel Manley, Natasha Wright, Shyliek Wright, Taniyyah Green, Lisa Steinbrueck, Tanya Craft, Shamari Hazelwood, Kyosha Hazelwood, Llyod Vivola, Patricia Williams, Iasia Williams, Rashawn Williams, Dashawn Williams, Mary Ellen Hostak, Mary Pendergrass, Keyshawn Pendergrass, Patrice Faujuor, Diana Skeleton, Delora Fanjour, Scott Lea, Wanda Monserrate, Esteban Reyes, John Robertson, Doris Newsome, Steven Simms, Diahann Lewis, Malik Lewis, Asia Snow, Malcom Smith, Malasia Smith, David Burston, Neeka Davis, Shanya Davis, Adrienne Hunter, Jeanne Wilhelm, Robert Jordan, Pookie Peacock, Zechariah Peacock, Jill Cunningham, Janet Nelson, Tina Lindsey, Joshua Donchance, Jessica Lindsey, Jadora Lindsey, Justina Lindsey, Shakora Townsend, J.J Townsend.
Location: Fourth World Movement, 1st Avenue & 11th Street, East Village, NY
Community Partner: Fourth World Movement
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Planning began in January 2005 for the Fourth World Movement mural. The location was a new wall in the recently renovated house owned by the movement in the East Village. The wall comprised of three sections wrapping around an exterior yard area. Fourth World Movement works primarily with low-income families and is staffed by volunteers. The design and painting process for the mural would involve rotating groups of families and volunteers who participated in the various workshops and painting sessions.
Workshops began in January when members of the movement were asked to comment on themes that they would like the mural to address. Brainstorming sessions were kicked off in earnest in April with workshops in Ocean Hill, Brooklyn and at the site of the mural in the East Village. In the workshops the participants helped guide the process of determining a theme for the mural.
The brainstorming sessions resulted in the creation of a sketch by the Lead Artist, which was reviewed by the many families, volunteers and friends of the movement who stopped by to discuss the design and provide feedback.
The final design wrapped around all three walls. From left to right it shows the conditions of poverty with reference to both the history of the East Village and the shanty towns in France where the movement began in the1950s. The conditions of poverty are flanked by a family working on arts and crafts activities, including Father Joseph Wresinski, the founder of the movement. Behind this group is the doorway to the Movement's original building in the East Village and a quote from Fr. Joseph on the mission of the organization. The center section directly addresses the movement’s projects and includes images of families picnicking, hands clasping - representing the bringing together of schools and families - and a group carrying a banner emblazoned with the word 'Dignity'. They stand under a tree whose roots represent the members of the movement and whose branches represent its aims - Human Rights, Respect, Education, Heath Care, Housing and Employment for all. In the center of this panel is a group of figures representing the street library, one of the movement’s pivotal programs. The final section depicts community empowerment. In front of the UN in New York a young man and elderly woman give presentations for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. To their right are a group of children from TAPORI, the youth empowerment project of the movement.
Work began on painting the mural in early June, with the artists working with rotating groups of families and volunteers. Painting was intensive, with the group working six days a week over a two week period. Staff and volunteers provided consistent support in the form of food and refreshments for everyone working. Jill Cunningham, one of the movement's members, also covered the yard area with a tarpaulin so that the team could continue painting in the rain. The project came to a close with Assistant JD Siazon adding the names of the over 50 people who had worked to make the project a success - both in the planning and painting sessions.
Special consideration must be give to the volunteers who devoted time and energy to the project. Awadh Baryoum gave the mural a very distinctive feel with his striking portraits on the central group of figures. The mural was completed on June 18 with a community dedication ceremony.