Many Hands Mural Wall Project

Create a tile mosaic mural wall featuring the clay handprints of every student in Grant County, as a way to connect them to their community, reduce vandalism and strengthen their belief in beautifying their environment through the arts.

The Specifics: What will the $5,000 fund?

Students will learn the techniques of forming their handprint in clay and customizing it through etched designs, words, pictures and color. Students will learn to glaze and fire the pieces, participate in the overall design of the mural and help install them on the wall. Students will learn that through the arts they can beautify their environment, they can feel connected to their community, and they can strengthen their relationships with others through the process, forming a sense of pride in their accomplishment – helping to eliminate the kind of vandalism that destroyed the park last year. The Many Hands Mural Wall will spread throughout the park as a beautiful piece of public art.

Discussion

what an amazing and beautiful project from the local children...This brings tears to my eyes...I helped way back then with the first building of the Penny Park...as a Pre-School Teacher, we helped by taking care of the children of parents that were helping to build it...To bad there are such mean people in the world who would commit such a thing as to burn it...With the new PENNY PARK REBUILT lets all keep our eyes open to take care of such a beauty...I know that all children young and old love to go and play and hang out there...My grand-children, and also school children have enjoyed it to the fullest...THANK YOU FOR REBUILDING IT AGAIN

by rosemary.martinez.982

9 months ago | Reply

What an amazing project! Children from all the local elementary schools have their hand prints on the walls of the much beloved and recently rebuilt Penny Park. Projects like these raise the self esteem of a community and we're proud and grateful to the MRAC, its coordinators and all of it's fabulous volunteers for making this happen.

by Blake Farley

9 months ago | Reply

This is a wonderful way to help children, of all ages, to feel invested in their community. WE are proud to be a sponsor and steadfast supporter of this mural project. Lee Gruber/Syzygy Tilewirks

by lee gruber

9 months ago | Reply

This mosaic mural is in Penny Park -- so named because children collected pennies to help build the park. The park became a symbol of civic pride. After the park was destroyed by an arson fire, it was rebuilt by the community. The mural program includes education, tile-making, and mosaic construction under the guidance of experienced local artists. It is my understanding that the mural includes handprint tiles that surivived the fire. Like the shining eyes of the Phoenix, this tile mosaic mural is a bright and shining symbol of commitment to Penny Park -- to the community and to our children -- that has risen from the ashes and now stands strong.

by mtnaire

10 months ago | Reply

The folks involved with this have a proven record of working with kids with art! This is an ambitious and inspired project. I have no doubt it can be done--to the benefit of all the kids and the wider community.

by ron.henry.589

10 months ago | Reply

The Mural Program artists have been working with students in Grant County for over 8 years - thanks to you and Adrienne for your confidence in the program and in the MRAC!

by mimbresarts

10 months ago | Reply

This is a great way to get kids invested emotionally in the park, which has been a community cornerstone for more than a decade. MRAC's idea to get them "hands on" to the project will make sure every family in the county feels some ownership in and concern for the park!

by rcgauer

10 months ago | Reply

Yes! We can use everyone's help to see that all school-age children are able to participate in the project. Help us spread the word to all those youngsters you come into contact with. We ppreciate it.....

by mimbresarts

10 months ago | Reply

The artists who bring this ambitious project forward have helped young people create other outstanding places of public art that will last for generations. In a playground marred by repeated, serious vandalism, this proposal promises to include every household with a school-age youngster in the mosaics that have come to speak of community and inclusion.

by thom_de_plata

10 months ago | Reply

Thank you so much for your wonderful description of the mural program and this project in particular! It's great to know that the community sees the results and believes in the project.

by mimbresarts

10 months ago | Reply

This is a community project truly worthy of funding. Just watch the kids as they create the pieces of the mural: you'll see the love, joy, determination, and pride that are going into every square inch of the work.

by adrienne.booth.92

10 months ago | Reply