Summer Leadership Institute

Groundswell’s Summer Leadership Institute (SLI) is a job training program for 85-100 youth (ages 14-21) who are employed 25hrs/wk for a total of 175 hours of contact time with Groundswell artists, learning key job skills and serving their communities. This summer six teams of youth created works of public art through the following projects.

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Great Walls/Tunnel Mural.
In partnership with the Office of the Mayor and the Department of Transportation a group of 15th youth will visually transform a pedestrian tunnel in Washington Heights. The team will work with artists Belle Benfield and Chris Beck to beautify the tunnel with a mural whose imagery will be inspired by the work of local poets in Washington Heights/Inwood. The mural will be created in one of the entrances to the tunnel at 191st Street and St. Nicholas. This project is a partnership between the City of New York & YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood.

Dedication: August 26, 11am Mayorial Ribbon Cutting at 191st & Broadway

Voices Her'd/Women & the Military.
A group of 15 teen girls will work with artists Katie Yamasaki & Menshahat Ebron to create a mural addressing the challenges faced by women in the military. The three-story mural will be created on a Fifth Avenue Committee building on 23rd & 3rd Ave, Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

Dedication: Sat Sept 6, 1pm at 713 Third Ave, Bkln

Great Walls/PS 503.
A group of 15 youth from Sunset Park will work with artists Aerin Vanhalla & Candice Sering to create a large-scale mural for PS 503 (4th Ave & 59th Street) focusing on the history and diversity of the neighborhood.

Dedication: Fri Aug 29, 2pm at PS 503

Organizing & Community Ed Initiative (OCEI)/Water Conservation.
In partnership with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, a group of 15 youth from Brooklyn will work with artists Nicole Schulman & Crystal Bruno to create a monumental mural on 4th Avenue and Sackett Street in Brooklyn. The mural will explore the cycle of New York’s water supply while communicating the importance of conserving water and protecting the local environment.

Dedication: Sat Sept 13th 10 am 4th Ave. and Sackett St.

Great Walls/TPL Crown Heights Mural.
A group of 15 youth will work with artists Bayunga Kialeuka & Clare Herron to create a mural addressing environmental protection and bio-diversity. The theme of bio-diversity will dovetail with community diversity. The mural will be created as part of the redevelopment and renewal of the school yard at PS221 (791 Empire Blvd & Troy) by the Trust for Public Land.

Dedication: Thurs Aug 21nd, 2pm PS 221: 791 Empire Blvd, Bkln.

Great Walls/South Brooklyn Youth Consortium.
A group of 15 youth will work with artists Alex Pimienta & Jessica Poplawski to create a two-story mural in Coney Island. The mural will address the history of the neighborhood of Coney Island. The mural will be created on Mermaid Ave and 27th Street.

Dedication: Thurs Aug 28, 2pm at 27th St & Mermaid Ave.