Mural Project - radio interview

Listen to Ashley, Dave, and project coordinator Tim Hoheisel discuss the Whittier Neighborhood Mural Project with Karl Gehrke of South Dakota Public Radio.

http://listen.sdpb.org/post/meldrum-park-mural-grant

TEDx talk on community murals

Great video of Katie Yamasaki talking about her community mural projects in New York, Cuba, and Mexico.

Getting to know the Whittier Neighborhood

After holding three community meetings, visiting four public schools and a couple of after-school programs, we're beginning to understand the remarkable international character of the Whittier Neighborhood. This is a part of Sioux Falls so rich in cultural diversity that nearly one hundred different languages are spoken here.  In fact, it has been referred to, by the NPR radio program The World, as the 'Ellis Island of the Great Plains.' 

Dave presenting at a community meeting

Just visit Whittier Middle School, named for the early American poet and abolitionist John Greenleaf Whittier, to see classrooms filled with young people from many countries of Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Central America, and descendents of much earlier immigrants from Norway, Sweden, and Germany. Or walk along 10th street to see a constellation of grocers, coffeeshops and restaurants specifically oriented to new residents from around the globe.

Whittier is a working-class neighborhood, just 'across the tracks' east of downtown, with a long tradition of welcoming new immigrants. It is also, as we've heard from many residents, the 'caring neighborhood' in that it is here where those without a place to sleep or money for food can find assistance from a host of charitable organizations. 

Listening to folks here made me think about how most, but importantly not all, of present day Sioux Falls residents come from families that immigrated to the U.S at one time. Those that did not immigrate like the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota are often referred to in the past tense, an unfortunate oversight since Native Americans from these and other tribes are alive and well here in Sioux Falls.

Drawing workshop at the Multicultural center

Highlighting and celebrating the vitality of this global, blue collar  neighborhood is our task. By creating a mural that resonates with the chorus of a hundred languages, we hope to bring a new cultural landmark to the city that recognizes immigrants old and new while honoring those who have lived here all along.

1st Design Team Meeting

Hey Whittier Mural Project friends,

For those of you who signed up to be on the Mural Design Team, our first  meeting will be -

Monday, January 21st
5:00 - 7:00pm
8th & Railroad Building
401 E. 8th (3rd floor)

Come to the entrance on the north side of the building. One of us will be there to greet you and show you the way to our studio.

Bring ideas and inspiration. We'll provide the rest.

You Are Invited!

Community Meetings to kick-off the
Sioux Falls Community Mural Project

Come to a meeting to visit with the artists, learn how you can participate, and share your ideas about the project. Artists, non-artists,  grown-ups, and kids old and young are welcome. The meeting will last about 90 minutes.

Wednesday, January 16th
6:30pm
Museum of Visual Materials
500 North Main

Thursday, January 17th
6:30 pm
Main Branch, Siouxland Library, Main Meeting Room A
200 N. Dakota Ave.

Friday, January 18th
12:00 noon 
Main Branch, Siouxland Library, Main Meeting Room A
200 N. Dakota Ave.
*Feel free to bring a lunch

Apprentice Application

Artists living in the Sioux Falls area are encouraged to apply to work as an apprentice on the Sioux Falls Mural Project. The mural apprentice will be involved from the earliest stages of the project through its completion, and introduced to the various skills required to shape successful community murals. The apprentice must make a two-month commitment to the project, four weeks in January/ and four weeks in June/July. The apprentice will receive a $2,000 stipend. Applications are due by January 7th. See application details below.

http://gallery.mailchimp.com/4410767479917cc18636caccc/files/Meldrum_apprentice_wanted.pdf