April 21, 2011
Photo: AZPM
Tucson Mural Arts Program is a results-based community improvement program that involves residents of all ages in the design and painting of murals. The program is part of the non profit group known as Tucson Arts Brigade.
The bit of 22nd Street that houses the Lucky Wishbone, between Country Club and Tucson Avenue, might seem like a mundane stretch of road, but if you’ve driven it recently you may have noticed that a colorful mural has been gradually taking shape on a nearby wall.
Michael Schwartz is an artist and the executive director of the local non-profit Tucson Arts Brigade. He says the mural is part of a project intended to strengthen the community.
“The Tucson Mural Arts Program is a results-based beautification program,” he says, “that involves residents of all ages in the design and painting of murals. We offer a viable solution to graffiti, social isolation and property damage by working with our community to collaboratively create works of art.”
Seeing Schwartz at work makes it clear he loves his art. He says this mural is part of an ongoing effort to engage youth and beautify Tucson neighborhoods, and in this case it’s through a mural that tells the story of Barrio Centro.
Yay! Michael, you and your work with the Tucson Arts Brigade are truley inspirational! Great work!!!
On the Tucson Murals Project blog, tucsonmurals.blogspot.com , are some earlier photos (when the mural was just an outline):
http://tucsonmurals.blogspot.com/2011/03/murals-being-made-part-1.html
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Wow! I am very impressed by what the artists of the neighborhood and Michael Schwartz are doing to celebrate neighborhoods and to weave community, history, and young talent together in a creative and exciting way. These are positive role models for a rebirth that will move society toward ever greater beauty, harmony, love, and understanding, and away from the violence and despair that dishonors and destroys lives, families and friendships. So keep up the good work, brothers and sisters, and may your good vibrations spread and grow with those of other good people around our great nation and the world! Vytas Sakalas