about_groundswell

History of Mural Making


Mural making has historically united cultural and political expression within the context of struggles for and celebrations of freedom. This is true internationally as exemplified by the social minded artists of the Work Progress Administration in the United States, pro-democracy activists in Haiti, anti-Pinochetistas in Chile and perhaps most famously by the Muralist Movement of post-revolutionary Mexico. Murals have been used to expound political and social messages, amplify grassroots voices, inspire others to reflect, contemplate and act, as well as to beautify, bring humanity to or simply leave a mark on a place in time. Mural making continues to exist in urban environments in the United States mostly in the form of spray paint "graffiti" art; however, the tradition of organized hand painted community mural projects pioneered in the United States in the 40's and resurrected briefly in the 60's, has almost died out.

Over the last fifteen years, non-profit agencies in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia have taken the lead in resurrecting and preserving the phenomenon of community murals. With no such group existing in New York City, we founded Groundswell Community Mural Project in 1996 to take the responsibility of organizing, developing and facilitating community murals in our city. We founded Groundswell based on the belief that there is something unique and powerful about the community mural making process which combines the sanctity of personal expression with the strength of community activism. Groundswell's programs are based on principles of individual, group and community development on a number of different levels including: spirituality, self-esteem, creativity, collaboration and community activism.

Tadalafil 5 mg generic check this tadalafil release date. Pharmacokinetics of sildenafil look here potencianövelÅ‘ tabletta kamagra; cialis used for url average age for erectile dysfunction. How long viagra kick in here sildenafil pediatric use. Everyday cialis and levitra together click site buy brand cialis baikalpharmacy.com; viagra and afib this site is viagra a prescription, kamagra gel kopen mouse click on when to take sildenafil. Levitra or viagra learn more sildenafil nosebleed, is cialis generic had me going sildenafil time to onset; tadalafil vs tamsulosin for bph as reported here viagra pill cost. Foods that enhance viagra check over here sildenafil paypal, zenegra sildenafil citrate read here prostate erectile dysfunction, cialis penis with reference to dapoxetine hcl and tadalafil tablets, low cost tadalafil read full article levitra side effect, cialis tablets cost one click sildenafil history; levitra online kaufen ohne rezept source viagra gummy, supplements for erectile dysfunction walmart webpage viagra versus levitra, cialis medicare discover here natural ways improve erectile dysfunction, sale tablets online levitra usa one click levitra aspirin; men's cialis this blog post here viagra at age 84. Cialis without a prescription dig this sildenafil nedir. Why is tadalafil so expensive source website levitra dosage options, does sildenafil work for ed latest tadalafil on empty stomach, sudden onset erectile dysfunction webpage tadalafil beta 20mg, walmart pharmacy prices levitra report generic levitra at walmart. Gadgets for erectile dysfunction my link canada online pharmacy viagra

The name "Groundswell" came out of our first project in which we worked with low-income residents of city-owned properties who were organizing to convert their buildings into low-income cooperatives, which they would then manage themselves. Incredible accomplishments were occurring in these buildings that were indiscernible from the street. We thought it would be interesting to do a mural that brought the activities behind walls out onto walls. Thus, the name "groundswell" was chosen.