Collaborative, months-long project depicts ‘hopes and dreams’ of Coatesville youth
For nine months, a group of students has worked on a mural depicting the past, present and future of Coatesville. It will be unveiled Monday.
The results of an artistic process that spanned months and utilized the talents of a team of teen painters will debut Monday at the Bridge Academy in Coatesville.
The nonprofit community center is inviting the public to participate in the unveiling of “Darkness to Light, “ an ambitious, collaborative mural project. The celebration of its completion will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. at the academy, 570 Olive Street. Light refreshments will be served.
Since September, about 15 students from seventh to 12th grade have gathered every Monday with Lancaster muralist Shawn Wanner to work on the project. “I was only the facilitator,” Wanner said, crediting the students with sparking the project’s direction.
Wanner, who works at Art Partners Studio, said through conversations with students, “we distilled the idea of Coatesville going from darkness to light,” and the teens chose depictions that represented painful memories as well as positive ones, culminating with images that suggest a bright future. “The students are excited to positively influence Coatesville, and they have displayed their hopes and dreams in this mural,” Wanner said.
Participating students will present testimonials on the project, and adult organizers will also be on hand make remarks and admire the results.
“The Darkness to Light” mural also commemorates a three-year ART partnership between the Bridge Academy and Art Partners Studio, two committed, community youth nonprofits in Coatesville. The partnership has inspired youthful creativity in classes ranging from drawing and hip-hop to art gardens and digital imaging.
