Charting a Journey Towards Hope

Artists: Andres Orlowski, Talia Swartz, Megan Smith, Trene Tarrane, Ross Monk, Anna O’Brien, Felton Jackson, Anna Edelman, and Ariel Wesenburger

The inspiration for this mural came from interactions between students from the Young Artist at Work (YAAW) program, sponsored by the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, and Youth Treatment Center (YTC). Dr. Lorna Gonsalves, Executive Director of Human Values for Transformative Action, facilitated a series of individual and group sessions to introduce the groups to the Community Heartbeats Approach.

At the beginning of the first joint session, all students were nervous as the following statements indicate: “I feel insecure about how open and relaxed participants will be and I feel a certain tension,” “I feel nervous, because I don’t know anybody here, and I don’t know what they’re thinking about me,” “Will I be respected? I feel cautious and protective.” Once all the students from both teams realized that this was a new experience for everyone and that they shared a common sense of uneasiness, they settled down and relaxed and the YTC students shared their stories, insights, concerns, and suggestions. At the end of the session, students again shared their sentiments regarding the process: “I feel overwhelmed. Sad, because life is such a struggle. Also, a deep respect for the students from YTC,” “I feel excited and curious to know what the artists are thinking and will create. Thanks for making our voices come alive!” I feel a little vulnerable and feel nervous about how people will perceive what I have said,” “Excitement! I’m glad we have really started to find out exactly what the people from YTC think about putting in the mural. Things are becoming much clearer now.”

As young artists worked on the mural, the struggle, confusion, hopes, and dreams of the YTC students came alive. The mural was unveiled at a reception at the Juvenile Detention Center. For Art Therapist, Nicole Brandstrup, who worked with the YTC students, viewing the finished mural was an emotional experience. Expressing her excitement about the impact that the process had on the YTC students, she stated, “For the first time, they were asked for their input instead of [being told] to be quite and go away. There was a sense of accomplishment and self-worth.”

The full size mural can be viewed at the Juvenile Detention Center, 1801 Spielbusch Avenue, Toledo.