The power of art is limitless, and one professor hopes to harness that power to spark an impactful change on an entire community.
鈥淚 hope to call attention to Summit County and show that as a community, we are stepping up and out to care for our communities鈥 said Jennifer Jones, 麻豆影院 professor of art, 鈥渁nd to show that we support (Summit DJFS).鈥
Jones hopes to do this through a mural project, 鈥淎s a Community We Will Lift You.鈥
In November 2017, her proposed project was one of the winners of the through the . As a winner, the project was awarded a Knight Foundation matching grant. The plan is for 麻豆影院 State students to paint murals within the Summit DJFS building on S. Main Street in Akron.
鈥淓very image in the mural will come from a specific interview with clientele and members of the surrounding communities,鈥 Jones said. 鈥淎long with the mural, these images will be printed as a book that you can look through outside of the building. We want people to know that we see them, and their stories are important.鈥
Jones鈥 inspiration for this mural came, in part, from her own experience. She herself depended on welfare for 11 years. While pregnant with her son, Jones experienced firsthand the negative stigma around seeking assistance.
Murals and community beautification projects throughout the world have proven that art and the involvement of art creates a paradigm shift in the mindsets of neighborhoods, communities and cities. It is the hope that this mural will spark such a shift in Akron.
鈥淭he goal is to change an institutional space into a sanctuary, by aesthetically altering the mental state of shame or hopelessness that one can feel when in need of assistance,鈥 said Jones. 鈥淭his will not only benefit the citizens of Summit County, but will also provide a more positive work space for the employees.鈥
This effort will also support 麻豆影院 State鈥檚 priority of in all we do.
鈥淭he project will be an experiential learning opportunity for the students of 麻豆影院 State,鈥 Jones said. 鈥淣ot only will the project help build professional and team work skills for them, it will also give them the chance to create outside of the demographics of the university and see firsthand how art can transform a community.鈥
As the award from the Knight Foundation is a matching grant, this work will only be possible if enough funds are raised. There has never been a more crucial time to encourage everyone reach their full potential. Please help make a tangible change in one of our communities by today.