Helping Hands

August 10, 2007


August 10, 2007

Things are moving swimmingly along at Baruch Park. Yesterday cheerful volunteers from the Lehman Brothers banking corporation came and exercised their creative talents by helping paint. James Evans organized the volunteers and a weeks worth of work was completed in one day! During our lunch break of Ray’s pizza Tsipi Ben-Haim, the executive and artistic director of CITYarts, talked to the volunteers and thanked them for their support. Listening to her motivating and visionary words renewed my faith in the project. This mural is a positive force in the neighborhood and as put by Michelle, CITYarts Scholarship winner; “We are bringing smiles into the neighborhood”. Michelle is right. We are brining joy and hope into a neighborhood that, at times, lacks these qualities. Watching this mural grow and transform has been one of the most rewarding opportunities of my young life and I can only imagine the impact it has made on the youth from the neighborhood. The Volunteers seem to understand the positive impact they were making and worked diligently, leaving their permanent mark in the community. With their help the underwater scene is almost complete. Outlines and further details were added by the volunteers making the sea creatures pop. A fanciful and whimsical seascape is coming to life and catching the eyes of the neighborhood. “You guys are doing beautiful work” was one comment made by neighborhood local while passing by the mural, further encouraging the group.
Bill Moakler, who created the CITYarts mural “Longfellow” in 1992, also joined the large group yesterday, bringing his artistic talent and enthusiasm to the mix. I was able to talk to Bill for a bit, asking him questions about his own art work and his history with CITYarts. He expressed his loyalty to the organization which has shaped his own life and brought him in touch with the youth of New York City. Bill quickly became one of my favorite people in the project. His veteran experience is admirable and has helped guide the hands and minds of James and Adam on their first mural project.
Overall the day was a huge success and passed quickly with lots of laughing and painting. Next week we look forward to getting further help from RockCorps, Vision Urbana and volunteers from the Trinity Wall Street Chruch!

Try to stay dry with all this rain!
Until next week,

Francesca
CITYarts summer Intern