LCRC - Lowertown Artbeat!
40 Cobourg st - Ottawa ON

Mural

Art for Action program

Event

Partners
Lowertown Community Resource Centre was our first partner in the Paint It Up! program.
This mural was their first phase in a full community improvement effort. The location was a field house in Jules Morin park, a central space in Lowertown that many residents walk through on  daily basis. It is surrounded by Ottawa Community Housing buildings, Patro, and York Street school. The park has severe problems with drug use, needles, violence, and gangs - The whole area is vandalized frequently.

Youth Engagement
We ran a 5 hour Art for Action program at their youth drop-in centre,open to any attending the drop in. 15-20 young adults between the ages of 13-21 participated.
Discussion covered graffiti as an art form, the impact of vandalism vs legal murals, issues in the community, what they would like to change, and how to make a difference in a constructive way.
Lessons were given on how to paint with acrylic, use paint markers, ink, stencil, collage, as well as outdoor lessons with spray paint. Everyone was given a sketchbook to turn into their own creative space.
Youth collaborated on the production of 10 multimedia canvases based on themes covered in discussion. Once the canvases were finished, the group talked about what elements they would like to include in the mural. Suggestions included hip, hop, breakdancing, skateboarding drawing, various sports, movies, and graffiti lettering.

Community
A community consultation meeting was held in the Patro building, open to any residents and interested parties. The design was presented, followed by comments, questions, and suggestions. Suggestions were to add hockey and winter themes. Discussion turned to community improvement after the project. One issue raised was two unsafe stairwells in the park on either side of the mural, which lead to the neighborhood pool  They are hidden from view by tall concrete walls, attracting drug users. Needles are found there frequently. Councillor George Bedard, who attended both the community meeting and celebratory event, promised to
look into the matter of safety in the park. Other issues o nets on the basketball and soccer nets

Mural
Throughout the mural process, local youth showed up to learn and help out. They hoped for more programs involving kids under the age of 12. Many residents came forward to talk to us and show their support. Spray priming was done by Tamco. 

A ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration was held in the park, including djs, breakdancing, and live painting. Youth were involved through discussion about the project with their neighbors. Some stepped up for an impromptu lesson in breakdancing.