[2006 Projects]

* Hunger for Knowledge...

* Follow Your Vision

* Our Community

* One Community Many...

* One World Unity

* Weeksville: Past Forward

* DEJA-VU: Which Path Will...

* Unity Arches/ Learn Love...

* Yesterday I Dared to...

* Feels Like Home...

SUMMER LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE/ Unity Arches & Learn Love Grow

UNITY ARCHES & LEARN, LOVE, GROW

Groundswell Community Mural Project ©
www.groundswellmural.org

Acrylic on Wood/Mosaic
Dimensions Vary (See below)
2006

Lead Artist: Mauricio Trenard
Assistant Artist: Clare Herron
Community Artists : Deneen Campbell, Ciro Capulin, Ming Jaing Chiu, Manal Kawas, Vivian Rodriguez, Awatef Sabra, Stella Savarimuthu, Wai Hung Wong, Miao Xin Li, Tai Ton Wong, Miao Hong Zhou, and Chaoyue Zhu, Riu Xian Mei, Audrey Wallace, Stacie Evans, the Americorps Team & Older Adults from Sunset Park Senior Center & Seniors in Touch.

Location: Lutheran Family Health Centers' Family Support Center, 61st Street & 6th Avenue, Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Community Partner: Lutheran Family Health Centers' Family Support Center

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Unity Arches is a construction of five wooden arches with varied dimensions. The arches consist of: one red arch (11 x 6 Ft), two arches, yellow and blue (10 x 6 Ft), a green arch (8 x 6 Ft), and a violet arch (7 x 5 Ft). The arches were painted in acrylic and varnished to protect against weather.  All were stabilized with wooden bases which were decorated with mosaic tiles. The designs ranged from natural motifs and animals to the geometric and abstract. The five arches were installed in the perimeter of the language center's outdoor parking lot. The Learn, Love, Grow mosaic measures 128 x 67 In. The piece covers and decorates a large window.

The original idea of the project was to create a mural along the perimeter of the parking lot, painted on plywood and installed along the lot's fence. The participants were adults of diverse nationalities, enrolled in English as a Second Language classes at the Lutheran Family Health Center. The group wanted to communicate fundamental aspects of communication and the benefits of the center. The mural would allow the team to openly express themselves and send a message to all who passed by the center.

Specific ideas highlighted in the proposed mural included, health, wholesomeness, self-maintenance and nourishment, social relations, safety, and security for future generations. Weeks were spent working in teams to come up with a final design that would effectively express the difficulties of communication between languages and ethnic groups. These weeks served to unite everyone in the group as they worked together towards one goal. After four weeks of planning, a design was created that would socially and artistically respond to the ambition of the mural.

A community viewing of the proposed mural raised controversy among local residents. While the mural was intended to show unity, a divide was apparent among residents who approved of the project and those who didn't want to see a mural on their block. The conflict over the mural became an important aspect of the final project. The group was forced to rethink their ideas based on the feedback received at the community meeting. The project inspired everyone to stand up for what they believe in and show a great deal of unrealized creativity.

This Project was made possible with support from Lutheran Family Health Center, Councilwoman Sara Gonzalez, Independence Community Foundation, NY State Education Department, NYC Council, Starry Night Foundation Tides Foundation, Utrecht Art Supplies, Valspar Paints, Lowes, and the generosity of individual donors. Special thanks to: Fr. McGillicuddy, Myles Davis, Kathy Hopkins, Jaroslaw Koziak, Wendy Davies, Pauline Loh, Qu Da Loh, Qu Da Lei, Echo Li, Nancy Milford, Jessica Pésale, Sr Fran Picote, Pat Ruiz, Heidi Sabers, Orianne Sharif, Children of PS172 & PS127, Adult Basic Education, GED & ESOL Students & School Health Staff.