 YOUTH
ARTS GROUP MURAL profiled in Times Herald-Record
YOUNG
MURALISTS FIND VOICE THROUGH ART
By
Yaika Garcia - Times Herald-Record ygarcia@th-record.com
mural to left: "Breaking
the Barrier" is a multimedia mural measuring 8'x16' Cornwall-on-Hudson
– Laura Rossi-Ortiz, development coordinator for the Youth Arts Group of
the Poughkeepsie-based Rural and Migrant Ministry, says she's enjoying the reaction
that her participants have been getting with their interactive mural at Painter's
Restaurant in Cornwall-on-Hudson. The
10-by-6-foot mural called "Breaking the Barrier" has been raising eyebrows
ever since its presentation Feb. 12. "The
people loved it. It was really great that we got such a wonderful response,"
Rossi-Ortiz said. "People
didn't know what to expect," she said. "They were astounded to see these
high school kids present this." The
papier-mach? mural has poems, hand casting and mirrors and depicts a large brick
wall being torn apart, symbolizing the participants' hopes to tear down the barriers
that allow racism to dwell and thrive in their communities. Viewers are welcomed
to post their own thoughts and opinions on the bricks.
Sixteen students active in the youth arts group participated. The
project began at a weekly workshop meeting last fall. The students sat down to
explore the issues that were affecting them in their daily lives.
The students said that many of them came
from immigrant families or families of color. They identified racism in the schools
as a big problem. The students
met with Andres Thamorro, arts coordinator for the Rural and Migrant Ministry,
who had 10 years of experience as a visual artist. He talked to them about expressing
themselves through artwork. Thamorro
said Philadelphia was an excellent place to study the use of public murals in
conveying positive messages because of the quantity and diversity of the huge
murals that adorn the streets, so the group took a bus trip to Philadelphia. Through
Thamorro's connections, they met with muralists and got a chance to exchange ideas
with them while learning about the basics. "They
all have different messages," he said. The
Ecuadorian native said it wasn't easy to convince some of the students to get
involved in the mural project at first. "In
the beginning, not all of them were enthusiastic with the idea of using art,"
he said. "Many of them didn't have experience in any art level."
But the majority won as enthusiasm became
contagious. "At the
end, everyone was delighted," said Thamorro. "It was something very
original and all the kids got thoroughly involved." Thamorro
studied the exhibit elements and chose the overall mural material, but he said
the students created the overall concept. "The
kids worked from beginning through the end with the elaboration. My job was to
show them how to utilize the paint and other materials to give this project life,"
he said. Thamorro says
he admires them. "Many
of them have their parents or their people working in agriculture. Many of them
are like heroes. They have problems like poverty and schooling and they are still
trying to do something for someone else," he said. "My goal is not to
transform them into professional artists. I don't expect to see a Picasso, but
I do want to show them that art is a very powerful tool and that it is available."
Ortiz-Rossi said she noticed changes
in the students after the mural was finished. "In
the whole process of developing their artwork, they have expressed the conclusion
that they have a voice and have a real presence," she said. "They didn't
feel like this before." The
students communicated their feelings with a flier that is available at the exhibition
site. An excerpt reads: "Racism
in the schools is a problem that affects all of us. We hope our artwork inspires
you to help us find ways to end prejudice and discrimination."
Today will be the last day that the
mural will be exhibited at Painter's Restaurant. "We're
looking for other places to show this mural as a way to raise awareness,"
said Rossi-Ortiz. To learn
more about the Breaking the Barrier mural or about the Youth Arts Group of the
Rural and Migrant Ministry, or to make a donation, call 485-8627.
PEDRO CRUZ SCHOLARSHIP
FUND January 26, 2004
RMM
ANNOUNCES DEDICATION OF THE PEDRO CRUZ SCHOLARSHIP FUND
On Saturday, January 24, RMM officially announced the dedication of the Pedro
Cruz Scholarship Fund in honor of our beloved friend and staff member, Pedro Cruz.
Throughout Pedro’s ongoing struggle with cancer, he has inspired us all with
his faith and endurance. He has been a constant source of guidance and support
for the youth in our community, continually holding up the value of education
in the many forms it presents itself. The Pedro Cruz Scholarship Fund will support
members of the Youth Arts Group pursuing higher education.
The announcement was made at a dinner at the First Presbyterian Church in Goshen,
with Pedro and his family in attendance. If you wish to contribute to the Pedro
Cruz Scholarship fund, please contact Richard Witt at (845) 485-8627 or send checks
to Rural and Migrant Ministry, PO BOX 4757, Poughkeepsie, NY 12602.
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