Students collaborate with local artists to create public artwork at two Denver Public Library branches

Think 360 Arts and Denver Public Libraries are teaming up with more than 30 local youth to create permanent pieces of artwork at two library branches in Denver- the Pauline Robinson Branch Library in Park Hill and the Athmar Branch Library in the Athmar Park Neighborhood.

The Denver Office of Cultural Affairs (DOCA) is funding the project through a $6,750 grant from Denver's Urban Arts Fund (UAF). The purpose of the UAF is to prevent graffiti vandalism by producing positive, well-tended and active community gathering spaces, and by providing opportunities for young people to take part in visual art and leadership programs.

"Addressing graffiti vandalism is the number one priority for City Council this year, of which prevention is a key piece," said Councilwoman Judy Montero, chair of the Graffiti Task Force. "I'm excited to have the chance to employ artists to help us revitalize our important community gathering spaces through the Denver Urban Arts Fund," she said.

In the Park Hill neighborhood, which is highly impacted by graffiti, 13 students at the Pauline Robinson Branch Library are learning about creative alternatives to vandalism. They are working with Think 360 Artist Susan Meyer, an installation artist based in Denver, to create a permanent sculpture using mixed media, and outdated, worn-out and discarded hardcover books.

Nineteen students at the Athmar Branch Library are working with Think 360 Artist Dona Laurita, a Colorado photographer, and Your Name In Graffiti, a professional graffiti art company, to create a permanent outdoor fixture based on the theme "Knowledge is Power."

The 5 th through 12 th grade students have the opportunity to spend several hours a day with the artists to design, create and install these projects over the course of a week. Using the visual arts as a positive medium, the goal is to teach participants how to curb graffiti and focus on the positive effects of other forms of visual art.

"The youth at both sites are regulars at the libraries and attend after school programming throughout the year," said Sheila Peck, program manager at Think 360 Arts. "Youth leaders at each site choose participants based on attendance, commitment to the program and interest in the anti-graffiti initiative and improving the community through the permanent installation."

Both programs will culminate in a community celebration and unveiling of the new artwork. The Pauline Robinson Branch's celebration takes place Monday, August 17 th, and the Athmar Branch's celebration is August 19 th. Both celebrations begin at 6 p.m. and are open to the public. For more information about these events, visit think360arts.org.

To learn more about the Denver Urban Arts Fund, visit the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs' Web site at denvergov.org/DOCA or call 720-865-4302.

Think 360 Arts is the leading statewide provider of arts education programs and services. Through direct services to classrooms and organizations, Think 360 employs over one hundred professional artists who offer a diverse range of age-appropriate arts experiences in visual, performing and literary arts. For more information about direct services, contact Sheila Peck at 720-904-8890 x 107.