Education and Beautification through Artwork

Back at the beginning of my junior year of high school, my Girl Scout leaders began to slowly pressure the ten members of my troop to begin work on the project that would culminate, for many of us, ten years of membership: the Gold Award. It was something I’d always regarded as an inevitable accomplishment, but never could really understand the commitment and hard work it would take to achieve.

            Initially, I had no idea what issue I wanted to devote 80 or more hours to. Ideally, I decided, the best thing that could come from my project would be a concrete product, something to prove the work I had put in. This got me thinking about activities I enjoy, and then adapting that passion into a project. After several ideas, the one I met with the most enthusiasm was the prospect of painting a mural with a group. 

            To be honest, painting a wall something other than a solid color was a foreign idea to me. I needed someone who had experience with painting murals and was also willing to work with me. Through a friend of my troop leader, I eventually was connected to Jimmy Longoria, of the nonprofit Mentoring Peace Through Art. When I first met him, I was so intimidated that I nearly changed my project. Although he assured me that “he wouldn’t let me fail,” simply talking with him opened my eyes to the complex process that is painting a mural.

            Fortunately, the staff at People Serving People, a homeless shelter located in downtown Minneapolis, were supportive of my idea. They suggested that the theme of the mural tie into a new nutrition initiative they were beginning. The goal of the initiative was to educate the residents about a healthy diet and lifestyle. A mural would be a perfect way to illustrate the ideas that the staff would be teaching.

After several revisions, the final design featured USDA’s “My Plate,” as well as a garden and the People Serving People logo in the background. USDA designed My Plate in mid-2011 as a modern revision to the classic food pyramid. The plate shows the correct proportions that each meal should have in order to constitute a healthy diet. The mural version at People Serving People illustrates not only correct proportions, but also examples of food within each category.  

Finally, after months of planning and procrastination, the big day finally arrived. With the help of a volunteer crew from school, my parents, my troop leader, and, of course, Jimmy, we were able to work with families from the shelter to paint the mural. Much to my surprise, the entire event went smoothly. My volunteers integrated seamlessly with the residents who came to help, and there were no messes to clean up, in contrast to my vivid, paint-flinging nightmares.  All in all, I’m pleased to say that the only problem I encountered was running out of paint, which was easily solved, and could be considered a blessing. The mural now serves a dual purpose: it educates the residents and beautifies the space.