Transcript

Location: 901 St. James Street

Lisa Mobley: So this is the Garden Pathway Mural Project on St. James St. going underneath the George St. Bridge between the Kane Street Community Gardens and the Schuh-Mullen Neighborhoods. The kids in the neighborhood wanted to create something in a space that they lived in that was unappealing and potentially scary sometimes. They took it seriously, and several of them drew sketches of things that they thought would make it a happier place to live. So, I took all of those individual sketches and created a larger piece where we can incorporate everyone’s ideas.

And then we started having the grown-ups from the neighborhoods and artistic individuals and street artists, and everyone wanted to be involved because everyone has such a passion for that community, and a lot of people have passed through or lived in those neighborhoods, and they just really have a heart for the kids there and wanted to give them something to inspire them and to encourage them and give them hope and let them know that the future is bright.

People have said it within the neighborhood that kids that would normally be fighting each other were standing side-by-side, making art together and laughing and having a great time. And these kids are saturated with a hope that they matter and that they can do something relevant. That’s the dignity of this project because God gives us many avenues to spread his love—art is one of them, and it will bring people together. I care about the North Side community and all its diversity. This mural project has been a wonderful journey of healing through the arts. My name is Lisa Mobley from LePaintgirl Art Studios.