Let me introduce you to the youth who have been in “Change of Art” with us and have become family over the last six weeks. Al (17) is the big brother, who started off very quiet and to himself (his mom told me to expect this), but as I write this he has Robert (one of the kids who stops by regularly) pinned on the ground while tickling him. Antwaun (12) and Cassius (13) are the little brothers who get in arguments about small things. Cassius is quiet, while Antwaun is full of energy and does things to annoy the others. Cassius is drawing in the other room now, coming over to me every few minutes to show me the progress on his cartoon heroes, smiling when I give my approval. Paule (14) is both the big sister and little sister, who is sensitive and rolls her eyes a lot at Antwaun, but also does stuff to get him back. She likes being Al’s little sister (he is pretty cute ..). Kenny (20) has deep eyes, like he’s always thinking. When he comes to class he’s really serious about his hip hop, but still takes time to speak words of guidance to Antwaun. He’ll be a good father one day. They call me Miss Laurie, though the other day Al and Antwaun decided to call me mother, which I secretly really like.

Now let me take you into our office, which has been pretty much converted into an art studio. Right now the bathroom is full of t-shirts hanging up to dry, which say “Represent” on the front and “Da Grove” on the back. In the main room is a 8×12 ft. mural in the making, which depicts what the youth would like to see our neighborhood be. In front of it Francisco (our artist intern, who has been teaching “Threads” and “Street Art”) is working with AL, Cassius, Antwaun, and a few random kids who stopped by, to finish up the t-shirts we are selling this weekend. In the next room Sekajipo (our Hip Hopology teacher/intern) is singing a song requested by Jada and Stephanie, while N’Sane works on writing a rhyme in the corner. On the table, photography done by the students is laid out, in the process of being matted.

Tomorrow is our Change of Art Showcase. Everyone is excited to show what they have been working on this summer. As we have watched the development of these art works, we have seen the youth also being enhanced and drawn out as works of art. As I see new life in them, I feel new life in myself also. I love that though our summer program is ending, we get to see our new “family” regularly because they are also our neighbors. We get to continue to grow together into a beautiful, unique, colorful mural, spreading new life across the Grove.

Posted on July 24th, 2009 by Laurie Cook
Filed under: BEATS, Mentoring & Discipleship, News