Art education is evolving. It is becoming a transformative field, crossing disciplines and creating unique collaborations between individuals of different backgrounds. Art organizations are no longer just a resource for culture, but also a driving force for social change within neighborhoods and communities. This is particularly true for the Philadelphia community and the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program.

On June 15, 2011, members of the Guild program, at the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, gathered in a conference room at a local community college. There was a clear division down the center of the room. To the right, men and woman with polished button ups and suits sat with their blackberries and laptops. To the left, there was a social congregation of casually dressed men and woman, mostly in the early to mid-twenties, conversing amongst themselves. This day was marked as a day of service, for the betterment of the Philadelphia community, as IBM employees and members of the Guild program sat to exchange knowledge, skills and services.

The Mural Arts Program has always been a catalyst for change. Established in 1984 by Mayor Wilson Goode, it was a campaign to rid the graffiti that had spread throughout the city. Jane Golden, Executive Director of the Mural Arts Program reacted with grace; murals would be the antagonists to graffiti. Moreover, Golden recognized the creative talent in each graffiti artist and instead of brining in mural artists that were foreign to Philadelphia neighborhoods; she highlighted graffiti artists’ creativity and employed them in mural projects. Graffiti artists’ works were no longer categorized as vandalism, but beautiful art that signified city blocks and communities. Furthermore, the Mural Arts Program created other socially responsible programs ultimately creating the Guild Program.

The Guild Program confronts the United States 67.5% recidivism rate. Many ex-convicts find themselves in the prison system again unable to find jobs and revert back to a criminal lifestyle. The Guild Program offers those newly released from the prison system creative projects such as mural making, portraiture, construction and design, allowing ex-inmates to reenter into society with concrete real life skills. After a ten-week apprenticeship, members are considered for part time employment. The ultimate goal of the Guild program is not only to reduce recidivism and provide job readiness, but also to allow former inmates an opportunity to give back to the community they may once have wounded.

At the Mural Arts and IBM workshop, the opening remark of the day was presented by Golden. She avidly stated in a confident fearless voice, “Incarcerated, whoever, whenever, you have opportunities”. IBM and guild members soon gathered into various rooms. They sat in groups of two or three. IBM employees interviewed guild members, gave advice about jobs and resumes. Saleem Walker, 19, who has been in the Guild Program for six months, expressed the business knowledge he attained from the workshop. Being just 19 years old, the business world is new to him, but he seems courageous, optimistic and excited about his life ahead of him. He later shares his turning point in the program- a project where he learned the art of construction, building and architecture when he built a children’s playhouse.

The day amounted to talks of past, present and future, a collage of hopes, anxieties and endeavors. Senior State Executive of IBM, Larry Pastor was sitting amongst a group of men from the guild program. He leaned into the discussion as if to express his juiciest business secrets. Earlier, Pastor expressed his curiosity towards mural making, which was to conclude the day’s workshop.

After lunch, everyone from IBM and the Guild Program gathered in the cafeteria. Three large panels about five feet by five feet were resting on three tables. From a distance the mural was white, with scratches of pencil lines, but upon closer inspection, there were numbers and geometric shapes, a true artistic puzzle. Guild members reacted with confidence and experience. They explained the painting by numbers method to IMB employees. This was now the Guild members turn to teach and share their knowledge to IBM. To see such an exchange of knowledge and shared curiosity towards one another marked optimism for the future of Philadelphia.

As Frisco Brown, 25, precisely painted between his lines and paint boundaries, he discussed his favorite project up to date within the program, a mosaic in South Philadelphia.< /p>
 

“I love building something out of nothing…” he expresses, as he moves in closer to the mural to inspect his boundary, “the pieces of the mosaic looked like nothing at first, but together, it becomes something.”

Brown later directs an IBM employee to her appropriate painting area and explains the process to her.

Together they are a support group of ex-inmates and convicts trying to reestablish a life through the arts, mural making, construction and design. The Guild Program at the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program creates enriching experiences and ignites change within communities and neighborhoods. Art Education in this sense is about social responsibility and providing opportunities for all people, learning and understanding the community needs and executing those needs.

Charles Hackley, 20, a recent addition to the guild program admits the comfort in participating in this program, “It’s a helping hand, no one judges my past and I am learning a lot about my future”.

Written and Photographed by Judy Lee (Correspondent in USA)