Working on a mural in and amongst the community always restores my faith in people.

Working on a mural in and amongst the community always restores my faith in people. Having said that, It’s a shame that the City of Newark has yet to understand (how important the Mural making process, not just the Product) is. I don’t mean

the city mural program; I am talking about creating a permanent place for young people interested in art to congregate. It is the process of community art projects that is so important, bonding with people, listening and giving a voice to the voiceless. It is this process that exposes people to art and letting younger people see that yes they can.
Today I painted and watched the way the muralist in their 30’s, mentored the ones in the 20’s and how the ones in their twenties advised and mentored the ones in their teens.
This is how change is effected in small but important ways, through real diversity, and the passing of the torch, not just across generational lines but across cultural lines, this creolization of an art project is magical.
If only the city of Newark would finally realize that they should make a place for their older artist to mentor the younger ones, and create a space where all of these young artists who reside just outside of the mainstream could meet and share, Newark would be a slightly better place and I can live with slightly.
I had at least ten people stop by the wall today and ask to work on the mural; there is so much talent In Newark so much promise. The city and or art community has yet find a way to support and mentor all of the artist that reside just outside of the loop. If the poverty pimps would just concede a bit of their power to change, than maybe one day Newark would have a real community center for the arts.
Flash back……………I outsider……………….. That’s how I felt when I looked at these kids today………..

— with Jay Wilson at Chestnut street newark.