Art Works!

by Alecia Dean

Through the Mural Arts Program of Philadelphia, art is more than a medium of self-expression. This discipline is now a restorative tool in the lives of young Philadelphians who have had a brush with the law or truancy. To turn youngsters from the path of delinquency, and guide them forward to a bright future, ArtWorks!, sub-division of the Mural Arts Program, was developed.

Formerly known as the Anti-Truancy Program, and also in partnership with the Department of Human Services, this program holds year-round workshops in mural training and arts education. “In an effort to reach more of the public with art and its positive outcomes, on February 4, 2005, the program will hold its winter exhibition, ArtWorks! Goes Public, to be held at five locations throughout the City Of Philadelphia, ”according to Sherman Fleming, Program Coordinator. The exhibits are to be held at “Walnut Street West Library (at 40th and Market), Infusion Coffee and Tea, Whole Foods Market (South Street), Journey Home, and Cosi. We are attempting to bring the program into the mainstream public eye.”

In March of 2004, ArtWorks! held its first student art reception, Portraits of Positivity and Change, at its headquarters at the Thomas Eakins House in the Art Museum Section of Philadelphia. It utilizes the curriculum of the Mural Arts ’Big Picture Program, which began in 1984 under the Philadelphia Anti-Graffti Network. In 1996, the Mural Arts Program was placed under the umbrella of the Department of Recreation. The talents and leadership of the Big Picture teachers and artists are also used.Consisting of four sessions, workshops that begin in July and end in June, students study different forms of art/art history. They also learn the history of Philadelphia murals, contributions of muralists to the arts, and of social/political impact of murals and the history of this movement.Lessons are designed to help youth participants become leaders and to ensure preparation for the workforce through skills in problem solving, creative thinking, and teamwork.

There are fifteen ArtWorks!and twenty Big Picture sites. Through the Congresso's site, twelve-year-old Andre, and his mother Eugenia, offered testimony to the power of this program. Andre, “who got into a situation with the law, and was sentenced to this program, enrolled in ArtWorks! two years ago. According to his mother, “His drawing brought a lot out of him... brought out his frustration and way of thinking.”She admits, “He showed his depression in art work-on a piece of paper. The panel at ArtWorks! saw his drawings and they were so good, they didn’t want to keep his portfolio to present to the board.”

The young man o ffers this about his ArtWorks! experience. “I like the trips to art museums. I also made a self-portrait from a pin-hole camera/cardboard box, then used a darkroom to create a diary with no pages-a self portrait. ”His mother notes proudly, “Andre also has his artwork exhibited at another gallery at 2nd and Church Street.” To the delight of the novel artist, no demonstrated skill in art is required. Thirteen year old ArtWorks! participant Shawn studies in the program with his older brother, Tyrell.Shawn admits, “Art has kept me out of trouble. I was drawing in school but computers were my favorite subject.”

He admits he didn ’t think he had artistic talent, but “I express my feelings through art if I am angry. ”In the past before he came to ArtWorks!, Shawn was fortunate enough to have been chosen to have his face painted on a mural located at Lancaster and Thompson Streets.Lashiara, fifteen, admits “... I am on probation, but this keeps me out of trouble. My parents are proud of me.”

The adults who facilitate ArtWorks!also tout its praises. Obah Mohamed, Coordinator of TAP (Therapeutic After School Program) which Mural Arts is under, has been working with the youngsters for one year.She states, “They ’re good kids. They are kept off the streets.The program helps with behavior problems and self-esteem. They feel good accomplishing a task-they have a hard time finishing something. ”The ArtWorks! Program head honcho, Program Coordinator Sherman Fleming, notes.“These programs are highly beneficial to the students because they... engage in a process using teamwork and critical thinking, and also gives them a sense of belonging and responsibility in their community....offering them a safe haven for positive expression.”

The winter exhibit, ArtWorks! Goes Public, runs through April 2005.Many works of art are available for purchase for a nominal fee. For additional information,contact 215-685-0750 or visit www.muralarts.org.